Sandy Loy, owner and CEO of Construction Management Inc., appeared on the Bob and ed Show on WNOX Radio on Monday, August 22 to discuss the issues surrounding the contruction of the New Carter Elementary School. Loy says he became involved in the situation when he was asked to tour the school and give his professional assessment as to whether it would be better to renovate the current structure or build a new school. Loy said he found the current school to be worse than imagined. “There are mold issues, the plumbing and electrical are out-dated and probably unsafe, there are foul odors, and, generally, the building, that was built in the 1920s is not worth saving. You would spend more to renovate than it would cost to build a new school, and what would you have when the old building is renovated? Not much.”
Loy said that he had been in discussions with parents of the current Carter Elementary School and was told that the old building is making their children sick. The parents said that during the summer their kids are healthy, but after school starts, they develop all sorts of strange illnesses and have to be medicated.
WNOX announcer, Ed Brantley, asked Loy if he could and would build the school, if asked. Loy said that he had previously bowed out of the bidding process as he had become involved in the situation and did not want to appear self-serving, but since the Devon Group just pulled out of the deal, he would be interested in building the new school. Loy said although the Devon Group had said they would build the proposed school for 600 students for $13 million, he would build the school for $10 million, saving the county $3 million to begin with. “The county already owns the land,” he said. “Having the land is a big part of the deal.”
Both announcers Bob and Ed suggested to whomever may be listening for the County Commissioners to “…do the right thing, and hire Sandy Loy to build the new school.”
Loy said that he is involved in the issue because he believes that education is the key to having a successful life. “i came from the side of the have nots,” he explained. “I attended county schools and the University of Tennessee. The education I received has propelled me into a successful life. I want to see that kind of an opportunity available for every child in Knox County.”
