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Commission forwards Poplar Hill Middle School construction request to budget after approving $70.9 million project request
Summary
The committee approved forwarding the Poplar Hill Middle School construction package — a $59.197 million construction bid and total $70.897 million request — to the county budget process with a positive recommendation; the mayor said borrowing will not require a tax increase.
The Rutherford County Health & Education Committee on March 25 voted to forward a school construction funding request for Poplar Hill Middle School to the county budget process with a positive recommendation.
Dr. Sullivan presented bid results and a funding package after purchasing and engineering received bids March 20 and RG Anderson Company submitted the lowest and recommended bid. The construction bid was $59,197,000; construction‑related contracts $2,000,000; furniture, fixtures and equipment $4,500,000; design $3,700,000; and site contracts $1,500,000, for a total request of $70,897,000. "That bid came in very good as a district," Dr. Sullivan said.
Mayor Carr, moved up on the agenda, told commissioners the county expects to go to the bond market for about $110 million that combines this middle school and bonding for La Verne High School additions. He said the county has debt capacity and refunded debt to free cash flow; "there will be no tax increase associated with this bond requirement," Mayor Carr said.
Commissioner Wilson moved to approve the request as presented and forward it to budget with a positive recommendation; the motion passed on roll call. Votes recorded were: Commissioner Oliver — Aye; Commissioner Davidson — Yes; Commissioner Wilson — Yes; Commissioner Boyd — Yes; Commissioner McMurray — Yes; Commissioner Gooch — Yes; Chairman Dodd — Yes. The committee’s approval advances the school system’s request to the county budget process and, if approved by budget and the full commission, schools expect an expedited timeline to open the school in August 2026 if approvals occur in April.
Dr. Sullivan said, "We are hopeful that if budget will approve on April 10 and the full commission on April 17, that'll open in August of 20 26," and warned that delays would push the opening date.
