Board approves grant-funded mental-health hub at Oak Grove and hires architect
March 20, 2026 | Bradley County, School Districts, Tennessee
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The Bradley County School Board on March 19 approved installation of a grant-funded prefabricated mental-health hub at Oak Grove Elementary and authorized engaging Cope Architecture to manage procurement, design, permitting and oversight.
Dr. Linda Cash, director of schools, and Adam Ferguson told the board the district received a Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services grant that will pay for a permanent modular building to centralize counselors, social workers, school psychologists and community partners. "The addition of this mental health hub would help address" limited confidential space at Oak Grove, Ferguson said, adding the unit would house "around six offices" and include areas for small-group intervention and a sensory reset.
Dawn Cox, who with Melissa Presswood wrote and secured the grant, said the funding covers the building, architectural services and necessary site and safety improvements. "These funds will allow us to establish a mental health hub at Oak Grove Elementary," Cox said, describing dedicated spaces for individual counseling, collaborative planning and family support services.
Board members asked how the hub differs from existing trailers and whether the grant includes site work. Ferguson and Cox said existing trailers are used for ESL and speech services, so the new hub would centralize mental-health services; they also confirmed the grant will pay for required plumbing, sewer and other site improvements and for any covered walkways tied to safe access. When asked how long the unit is expected to last, staff said manufacturers and precedents vary, but modular units and trailers in the district have life spans that can range from roughly 10–20 years or longer depending on maintenance; staff noted final specifications in procurement will clarify materials and warranties.
The board voted to approve the project and to engage Cope Architecture for design and oversight; the motion carried by roll call (7 yes, 0 no). Next steps identified by staff include completing procurement documents, finalizing site plans and returning to the board with contract and construction scheduling details.
The approval commits only to accepting the grant-funded unit and hiring design services; the board recorded no out-of-pocket district funding requirement for the building itself in the discussion on March 19.
Dr. Linda Cash, director of schools, and Adam Ferguson told the board the district received a Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services grant that will pay for a permanent modular building to centralize counselors, social workers, school psychologists and community partners. "The addition of this mental health hub would help address" limited confidential space at Oak Grove, Ferguson said, adding the unit would house "around six offices" and include areas for small-group intervention and a sensory reset.
Dawn Cox, who with Melissa Presswood wrote and secured the grant, said the funding covers the building, architectural services and necessary site and safety improvements. "These funds will allow us to establish a mental health hub at Oak Grove Elementary," Cox said, describing dedicated spaces for individual counseling, collaborative planning and family support services.
Board members asked how the hub differs from existing trailers and whether the grant includes site work. Ferguson and Cox said existing trailers are used for ESL and speech services, so the new hub would centralize mental-health services; they also confirmed the grant will pay for required plumbing, sewer and other site improvements and for any covered walkways tied to safe access. When asked how long the unit is expected to last, staff said manufacturers and precedents vary, but modular units and trailers in the district have life spans that can range from roughly 10–20 years or longer depending on maintenance; staff noted final specifications in procurement will clarify materials and warranties.
The board voted to approve the project and to engage Cope Architecture for design and oversight; the motion carried by roll call (7 yes, 0 no). Next steps identified by staff include completing procurement documents, finalizing site plans and returning to the board with contract and construction scheduling details.
The approval commits only to accepting the grant-funded unit and hiring design services; the board recorded no out-of-pocket district funding requirement for the building itself in the discussion on March 19.
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