| The Roane County Board of Education will propose a bond election for the November ballot.
Superintendent Richard Duncan said the school bond would be for $9.7 million. Taxpayers would see a tax increase of $7.50 for a $100,000 home value and $3 for a car valued at $20,000 with the passed vote.
Duncan told media the projects are necessary to keep student safe and healthy.
The projects include new roofing for all five schools in the county, safety and security entrance upgrades to all five schools, paving and lighting projects outside school buildings and heating and air conditioning upgrades at the high school and Spencer Elementary.
In addition, $200,000 would go toward planning a location for a new middle school. Duncan estimates building a new middle school is still about five years away or more.
Duncan said the roofing upgrades are necessary. He said when the area gets heavy rain, buckets must be set out in schools.
Duncan said 1994 was the last time a bond vote was approved, which went toward the athletic facility at the high school. An excess levy proposal was placed on the ballot in 2015 but failed.
In other action, teachers in Roane County will get up to $500 extra money in their pockets if they have good attendance under a new policy.
School officials indicated it's am effort to saving money linked to absenteeism.
Employees will be penalized if they go beyond their state-allowed personal leave and sick leave days.
Employees who do not take any time off at all will each receive $500.
The policy will reward employees who take between zero and six days off, using a sliding scale up to $500.
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