Board approves guaranteed maximum price for East Robertson High agricultural building

The Robertson County Board of Education approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $239,626.53 for construction of an agricultural building (a barn) at East Robertson High School, using state ISM grant funds allocated for career and technical education (CTE). Administrators told the board they had removed a separate Joe Burns High School GMP from the agenda because of a “glitch” in that price; the Joe Burns project will be brought back later. Jamie Spencer of Hewlett Spencer attended the meeting and was listed as available to answer technical questions about the East Robertson scope and timeline. Board members asked about the procurement and bidding process. Administrators said the district’s construction manager (Hewlett Spencer) compiles bids and presents a GMP package under an existing agreement with the district, and that the firm had vetted subcontractor bids for the East Robertson project. One trustee noted that the district typically would conduct public bidding under state procurement rules (Title 49), but staff said the GMP process under the district’s agreement with the construction manager does not require separate hard bids by the district. When asked about the project timeline, officials said site work and initial activity would begin immediately; a district representative said crews would start at East Robertson “tomorrow morning” and that staff would bring a follow‑up report at the next board meeting. Why it matters: The project uses state ISM grant money earmarked for CTE programming and will add dedicated agricultural facilities at East Robertson High School. The board’s approval authorizes the guaranteed maximum price for the scope included in the packet. Vote: The board approved the East Robertson GMP by voice vote; the motion passed 6‑0. The Joe Burns item was removed from the agenda for later consideration.