Rockwood, Tenn. — It's become a divisive issue for years in Roane County: a proposed $68 million education project to combine three high schools in the county and renovate two others.
There are dozens of people on both sides questioning whether Roane County should invest $68 million for a new high school and renovations to two current ones.
The plan would retire Kingston, Harriman and Rockwood high schools, combining them in a new building near Roane State Community College.
It would also include moving Oliver Springs High to the middle school, adding a new gym and technical education space.
Sam Doughty lives in Rockwood, and while he supports the idea of improving the county's schools, he's not in favor of a proposed property tax increase to pay for it.
"I believe in better schools. The students need it. But this is not the way to go," Doughty said.
He thinks the proposed property tax increase of an estimated 36 to 38 cents per $100 valuation wouldn't be worth it.
"I'm a retiree — been retired for 17, 18 years," Doughty said. "My pay hasn't gone up. But the taxes are going to go up. I've even considered moving."
Ayler Evans is planning to stay, and that's why he's for the school project.
"Right now, I have concerns looking forward," Evans said. "I want my children to be able to go to college if they want to."
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In his mind, his Rockwood High School Education wasn't quite what he had hoped for.
"When I was in college, I felt at some points I may not have been as prepared as some of the kids from Knoxville area schools, some of the bigger schools around here," Evans said.
Doughty is hoping for a referendum, but that's not guaranteed.
"I think it would end this issue altogether if we had a referendum," Doughty said.
Evans just wants everyone to go to meetings and gather information.
"People can honestly get themselves better prepared," Evans said. "At that point, I felt like, was up to date on the referendum, I'd be all for it."
The board of education passed the plan with a 9-1 vote last Thursday.
There is a committee work session Thursday at 6:30 p.m. where the public can learn more.
The county commission will consider the issue at its next meeting on May 14.