District staff told the board on Sept. 23 that negotiations are underway for an architect and engineer to design and develop two back properties adjacent to Germantown High School and that a contract could be brought to the board at the next business meeting. The staff member said the district typically budgets an 8%–10% fee to architects and engineers based on total project cost.

Board members were also briefed on separate work by the city’s finance advisory committee. Mr. Ellis, who attended the FAC meeting on Sept. 10, said PFM recommended raising the city’s bonding limits by roughly $23 million on short-term debt and by as much as $38 million on long-term debt. Ellis said those increases would raise bonding authority but did not guarantee the district would receive a specific amount for school projects.

Chairman Griffith (as referenced in the meeting) said the revised memorandum of understanding, which modifies the existing land-use agreement with the city to allow development of the back properties, is expected to appear on the district’s October business meeting agenda and will also go to the city for a public vote. Staff said it plans to present an architect/engineering contract at the next business meeting if negotiations are completed in time.

Trustees emphasized that the city’s process will include additional approvals: once design work is complete, the district will appear before necessary local commissions. No formal contract or MOU was approved at the Sept. 23 work session.