by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the July 15 meeting, the Franklin County Commission appointed Sarah Marhevsky and Caycee Roberts to fill vacant seats on the Franklin County School Board. Marhevsky of Sewanee will finish out the 5th District term of Adam Tucker who recently resigned. Roberts, 7th District, will finish out the term of Gary Hanger. Hanger, Robert’s father, passed away on May 24.

Fifth District Commissioner Helen Stapleton nominated Marhevsky for the position. Marhevsky moved to Sewanee in 2010 with her husband Mathew Rudd, a math professor at the University. Before that, Marhevsky taught English in urban, suburban and rural settings in Chicago, Illinois, Austin, Texas, and Moscow, Idaho. Her two children attend Sewanee Elementary School. As a stay-at-home mom she actively embraced community involvement serving as president of the Sewanee Parents Organization, initiating a free after-school enrichment program, and serving on the Sewanee Community Center board, the Sewanee Parks Committee, and the Sewanee Community Funding Project Committee. Marhevsky recently transferred her teaching credential to Tennessee and works part-time with international students.

The commission unanimously approved Marhevsky’s appointment.

“I’m excited to join the school board,” Marhevsky said. “I appreciate all the work that Adam Tucker put in—there will be two new middle schools. I look forward to helping provide both the best possible education for students in Franklin County and a good working environment for district employees.”

Commissioner Angie Fuller, 7th District, nominated Roberts. The 7th District includes Tullahoma, Center Grove and Estill Springs. Roberts holds a bachelors and masters degree from Middle Tennessee State University. She left teaching to raise her two children and start a business.

“I love teaching,” Roberts said. She frequently attends school board meetings. “You have a difficult job,” she acknowledged. “I will work tirelessly to serve the county.”

A 2 to 12 majority appointed Roberts to the position. Commissioner David Eldridge, 7th District, nominated former school board member Betty Jo Drummond.

In other business, Planning and Zoning Director Janet Petrunich updated the commission on Tinsley Asphalt’s request to locate a rock quarry in the Greenhaw community. Several months ago, the property was rezoned to I1 Industrial to accommodate the request.

“The next step is for Tinsley Asphalt to go before the board of appeals to have the use itself approved,” Petrunich said.

Petrunich stressed extensive documentation needed to accompany the appeal including information on location of equipment, stockpiles, traffic flow, and an operations manual detailing water and air quality protection. The Planning and Zoning Department will entertain the request for approving use of the site for a quarry at the July 18 meeting.

The commission will hold a workshop July 23 to discuss the county budget. At issue is the proposed 24 cent property tax increase. Currently, 25 percent of assessed value is taxed at $2.67 per $100. If the commission approves the tax increase, property taxes on a $100,000 home would increase $60 from $667.50 to $727.50.

The commission will vote on the budget July 29.