Prop A expected to bring new tennis courts

An already unique Sept. 12 school election ballot will present Knoxville School District voters another question that will have an impact throughout the city.

The question, known as Prop A, will be a paragraph on the ballot asking voters to increase the current Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) by 67 cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation. As it stands, the district’s overall levy is expected to decrease by 80 cents per $1,000 due to retiring debt. Even if voters approve the 67-cent increase in the PPEL, property taxes are expected to see a net reduction of 13 cents per $1,000.

Going off the tax rolls is debt related to the district’s management fund. This fund was used to pay the costs for early retirement of dozens of district employees within the last five years. The early retirement packages were offered to try to lower the district’s general fund expenses.

The PPEL increase, if approved, would be in place for the next six years. Knoxville Schools Superintendent Cassi Pearson said the district is asking for the increase to help fund eight new tennis courts and a basketball court across the street from Knoxville High School.

This is the current site of the Knoxville Skate Park, next to the Recreation Center. The district is working with the City of Knoxville on this project. Currently, the district utilizes the tennis courts at Young’s Park, owned by the City.

The Young’s Park courts have been in disrepair for years. The soil conditions and lack of drainage have plagued the ability to keep the courts in the proper condition to be utilized for both high school athletics and independent recreation. If voters approve the PPEL and the new courts are built, the new courts will also be accessible to the public.

Though the current skate park would be removed, a new and improved skate park – as well as other amenities – would be built at Young’s Park. The City would pay for this project.

Pearson believes moving the courts next to the high school would be much more advantageous than their current location. Being near the high school, its facilities could be utilized to host more tournaments and events. This includes the South Central Conference Tournament. PE classes and Recreation Center programs will also be able to utilize the new courts.

If voters approve the levy increase, construction would begin in March or April. The goal is to have the courts open and available for use by June 1, 2018. Pearson reports that the soil on the proposed site has already been tested, and they have indicated that it will not have the same issues as the land at Young’s Park.

The current PPEL is 67 cents. This fund can only be used for buildings and buses. It cannot be used for salaries or supplies.

If the new courts are built, the maintenance agreement between the City and school district indicates that the City will maintain the courts after the district pays for construction. Pearson added that the courts themselves would be made of a material with a longer shelf life and may not require the level of maintenance and expense of the current courts.

She is excited at the prospect of adding these new amenities to Knoxville to promote a healthy lifestyle. The new basketball court could also enhance the community in new ways.

Prop A needs only 50 percent plus 1 vote to be approved. The ballot language does not specifically state what the proceeds from the levy will be used for. It is this project, and Prop A is the only yes-no question on the ballot.