Anytime the subject of “school change” is brought up in government, it can be a highly controversial topic. Thursday night, the Roane County Board of Education stirred the pot when they voted to consolidate all five Roane County High Schools into one high school. The board had talked about such a consolidation earlier this year at a retreat and it has come up at various times in the past. Numerous parents were surprised and angered with the decision which would probably also come with some sort of tax increase to cover the cost of constructing a new facility. They also said that a single school housing thousands of students would bring an increase of bullying, fighting, drugs, and long commutes for students. The consolidation is not a done deal as the matter would next have to go before the full county commission to approve funding. The proposal was approved on a 7-3 vote. Voting “yes” were Darrell “Drack” Langley, Hugh Johnson, Rob Jago, Larry Brackett, Danny Wright, Mike “Brillo” Miller and Vic King. Voting “against” were Michael Taylor, Sam Cox and Nadine Jackson.