The Burke County Public Schools Board of Education added several items related to the New Eastern Elementary project to its Oct. 13 agenda, including a joint resolution with the county to transfer property, a draft architect contract and a $13 million budget amendment intended to help complete the school.

County-affiliated counsel Keith Lawson described the joint-resolution template as a standard mechanism for the county to receive sales-tax refunds on construction costs and then cede authority to the board to manage construction. Lawson said county commissioners can obtain refunds on certain sales taxes, “but boards of education are not entitled to do that,” and that transferring property from the board to the county is a common step to preserve those refunds.

The board also discussed a draft architect contract prepared using a modified AIA form. Lawson said the contract still contains blanks that must be filled — including the architect’s compensation and dates for commencement and substantial completion — but that the parties expect to finalize terms before the meeting on Oct. 13 if possible. He described an estimated construction cost of $46,750,000 tied to an architectural fee of $3,155,625; he also referenced a larger total project figure described in the draft as about $55,000,000.

Superintendent Dr. Swan presented a requested budget amendment of $13,000,000 to complete the Eastern Burke County elementary project. Dr. Swan said the $13,000,000 portion represents capital funds and that state and federal law restrict how those funds may be used. He also said the district’s required local match on the state grant is about 5% (stated as $2,100,000) and that the district previously received a state award of roughly $42,000,000. Lawson and staff warned about a state deadline for the grant that, after a one-year extension granted following Hurricane Helene, gives the district only a little over a year to complete the procurement and construction process.

Board members were told one common option if a final architect contract has minor outstanding issues is to place a substantially final form on the agenda and authorize the superintendent and board attorney to approve modest, post‑meeting edits rather than call a special meeting.

The board agreed to add the joint resolution, the draft architect contract and the two budget items to the Oct. 13 agenda for final consideration.