The school system is looking to close the doors at Alpine Crest and merge its student body with other elementary schools like Rivermont and Hixson, creating a new school on the large site where Dupont Elementary currently sits.
Red Bank Commissioners approved up to one million dollars to be given to the Board of Education during Wednesday night's meeting.
By providing these dollars, they hope to keep an elementary school within Red Bank city limits.
"How much are we willing to sacrifice to keep Alpine Crest as is," said Hollie Berry, Red Bank Mayor.
Red Bank commissioners are down to the wirein their attempt to keep an elementary school within town limits.
"I feel it's my duty to exhaust every option to try to work with the county," said Berry.
Commissioners say Hamilton County School District leaders have given a tight deadline to achieve their goal.
"The way I see it is the county and school board has blown their leaves in our yard, and they want us to clean up the mess," Commissioner Pete Phillips.
The resolution passed by Red Bank Commissioners proposed using other sites within Red Bank City limits, such as the former White Oak Elementary school site, the current Alpine Crest, and the current Red Bank Middle and High School campus.
According to the resolution, the Department of Education was willing to forego Alpine Crest if commissioners relinquished the property at Red Bank Middle School.
However, commissioners say the site is already under contract for a planning study and they want to decide on the plan of use with the public's input.
"When I hear from our fellow colleagues in government that they think we should give up that transparent process," Vice Mayor, Stefanie Dalton. "It disappoints me because we should all be going about this the right way."
Some commissioners say offering one million dollars may not be enough for Red Bank commissioners to break even with the Department of Education.
Some fear it could compromise the town's spending in areas of need.
"There are a lot of issues with the county plan. I don't think it's been fully vetted," said Hayes Wilkinson.
"I don't understand How they can vote on something like this when they don't know what the cost comparisons are to do one project over another project and how to prioritize those things," said Dalton.
The resolution passed with a 3 to 2 vote.
Commissioners will present the resolution before the Hamilton County School on Thursday.
