Clinton board approves architect agreement to pursue needs‑based school grant

The Clinton City Schools Board of Education on June 24 approved a standard form agreement with SFLA Architects to support an application for the state's needs‑based public school capital fund and to begin preliminary planning for a potential new high school.

Board members and staff said the agreement will allow the district to prepare grant application materials and preliminary specifications required by the Department of Public Instruction's Office of School Planning, but that most detailed design and construction work will not begin until grant funding is awarded.

Superintendent Wesley Johnson confirmed the architect's preliminary budget estimate showed a total project cost near $66 million, with an estimated $42 million eligible under the state needs‑based grant and roughly $15 million left as a local funding gap once rebates and other credits are considered. The board discussed multiple options for covering the shortfall, including local matches, public‑private partnerships, USDA financing and scaling back project scope.

During discussion, board members and staff emphasized two constraints: (1) under current law the needs‑based funding is awarded per county and Clinton would not be eligible for a new round until a multi‑year wait period unless the General Assembly changes the rules; and (2) if the district receives the grant, it typically must begin construction within two years of award to keep the funds.

Board members repeatedly requested clarity about what the district would pay before grant award. Staff reported an SFLA representative told the board the firm would seek compensation only for services actually rendered and that the firm had stated the district would not owe architect fees until money was appropriated; the board asked for that assurance in writing before proceeding with substantive work beyond the grant application.

The board voted to approve the AIA owner–architect form agreement (construction manager as constructor edition) so the district can proceed with the grant application and limited preliminary work. Members said they expect SFLA to assist with site suitability discussions and with the application template required by DPI.

Board members cautioned that land acquisition and site development costs are not eligible for inclusion in the state grant and must be covered separately. Staff estimated a typical site for a new school could be roughly 30–40 acres and gave a broad range for land costs; members said the district will evaluate site options and soil conditions before committing to final designs.

The motion passed; board members asked staff to secure written confirmation from the architect about payment timing and to return with more detailed estimates and a plan for local funding sources if the grant is awarded.