DOBSON — A request to apply for $1.1 million in interest-free grant funding for Mount Airy High School was denied by the Surry County Board of Commissioners Wednesday night, following the request to expedite the grant application by the July 31 deadline.

Chairman Craig Hunter said it was the first time since he has been on the board he has ever turned down a school board request.

Dr. Darrin Hartness, superintendent of Mount Airy City Schools, came before the county commissioners Monday night to say that the system could qualify for $1.1 million in stimulus money.

Hartness suggested the board give the nod to go ahead with the final phase of renovations to Mount Airy High School, which would include the relocation of the front entrance, renovation and expansion of the media center and relocation of the office and guidance area. In addition, the remaining original windows on the front and side of the school would be replaced. The cost estimate of the high school construction is $2.5 million.

Hartness also suggested replacement of the fascia on the Mount Airy High School gymnasium at a cost of $100,000; cafeteria renovations with an estimate of $525,000; and the replacement of the HVAC controls at B.H. Tharrington Primary and at Mount Airy Middle School with an estimated cost of $225,000. Hartness said he thought he could get some funding for the heating and air project through energy assistance grants.

County Manager Dennis Thompson and Assistant County Manager for Budget and Finance Betty Taylor recommended Wednesday night that the board deny the request until further research could be done to assess what the extra budgetary needs for Mount Airy High School would do to the budget.

Commissioner Paul Johnson said he had made some phone calls to the state to check on revenue that would be coming back to the county from sales tax revenue. He said there is a possibility that the money from the state could be less than expected, thus affecting the budget.

“If we made a promise to our citizens — if we take on more debt service, then we are not going to be able to keep that promise,” Johnson said.

After much discussion between the commissioners, they were all in agreement that if they had more time to study the issue to be sure that taking on more debt wouldn’t raise taxes, they would consider the move. But with so little time before the July 31 deadline, they were clear that not enough research could be done in time to give their go-ahead to the project.

“It’s a shame we have such a short window of opportunity,” said Commissioner Dr. Jim Harrell Jr.

“It looks like if we take this on, then we could create a tax increase,” said Commissioner Jimmy Miller.

“I want to do it right now. It needs to be done. Let’s try to revisit this in six months,” said Hunter.

Hartness told commissioners that he would be leaving the meeting frustrated.

“We gave you a $3.9 million project and then you asked us to cut that in half. When all of your other bids (for other school projects) have come in $8 million under bid. This is a small project in the grand scheme of things,” Hartness said.

“I have an opportunity here. But if you don’t approve this, then I’ve got to go tell the state to take this $1.1 million and use it somewhere else in the state,” said Hartness.

Harrell said the $1.1 million would take care of the interest but not the principal.

“I hate that you are frustrated. I know you are disappointed. I can’t raise taxes. Today is not a good day,” Hunter said.

School Board Chair Wendy Carriker asked commissioners to consider the “what if” of the project coming in under budget.

“I would like to see it done, we just can’t do it,” Hunter said in response.

No formal vote was taken by the county commissioners on the issue.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.