Facilities Committee approves fire alarm replacement at Porter Ridge Elementary

As the sun rose over Union County, the Facilities Committee of the Union County Public Schools Board of Education convened on June 25, 2025, to discuss critical infrastructure updates and future projects. The meeting, held at 9:01 AM, began with a swift approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous gathering, setting a productive tone for the day.

One of the key discussions centered around the fire alarm replacement bids for Porter Ridge and Bridal Elementary Schools. Mr. McManus presented the bids received on June 10, highlighting that Carolina Fire Technologies had submitted the lowest responsive bid of $373,448.50, well within the budget of $454,000. The committee unanimously recommended this bid to the full board, reflecting confidence in the contractor's past performance.

In addition to the fire alarm updates, the committee received a bond update regarding the East and Forest Hills projects. Mr. McNass reported that demolition work had commenced at East, with visible demolition expected to begin shortly. The anticipation of seeing large machinery at work sparked light-hearted conversation among committee members, who expressed curiosity about the demolition process.

The meeting also touched on the Weddington Road widening project, with Mr. Moore providing an update on the need for additional easements. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) had requested a slight increase in compensation for the easement, amounting to an additional $3,000. This adjustment was noted as a minor but necessary step in the ongoing collaboration with the DOT, which will also involve reconfiguring signage and driveway entrances as the project progresses.

As the meeting drew to a close, the committee noted that there would be no meeting in July, with the next gathering scheduled for August 27 at 9 AM via Zoom. With a motion to adjourn, the committee wrapped up a session that not only addressed immediate needs but also laid the groundwork for future developments in Union County's educational facilities.