The Jefferson County Board of Education voted to amend its 2025–26 budget to include $12,500,000 approved by the county commission for the Jefferson Elementary School renovation and, separately, voted to terminate a professional‑services agreement with Lewis Group under contract provisions cited in article 9.

A board member moved to amend the district budget to place $12,500,000 from the county commission into fund 177 for the Jefferson Elementary renovation; the motion was seconded and approved by the board. The motion’s text as stated in the meeting was: “I move to amend the school district 25/26 budget to include the $12,500,000 approved by the county commission to be placed in fund 177 for the Jefferson Elementary School renovation.”

Separately, the board approved a motion to terminate the professional‑services agreement dated 06/11/21 between the Jefferson County Board of Education and Lewis Group (the firm identified in the agenda). The motion invoked provisions 9.5 and 9.6 under article 9 of the contract to effect termination. The board member who moved the termination said the clauses “allow us to terminate the contract” and linked the termination to the decision to move forward with the renovation.

During discussion, at least one board member praised Lewis Group’s prior work on district projects, saying, “If it wasn't for the Lewis Group, we wouldn't have a performing arts center in high school,” and noting the firm’s work on previous school renovations. The board member’s comments stressed professional respect for the firm while supporting the termination as part of the district’s next steps for the renovation project.

The board’s actions clear the way for the district to proceed with the Jefferson Elementary renovation planning using the county‑approved funds and with a change in its design/architect relationship. The board did not specify subsequent procurement steps in detail during this meeting; staff and board members indicated next steps will follow standard contracting and procurement processes.

Details recorded in the meeting: the budget amendment inserts $12,500,000 into fund 177 for Jefferson Elementary renovation; the contract referenced for termination is a professional‑services agreement dated 06/11/21 and was ended using provisions 9.5 and 9.6 in article 9. The board voted to approve both motions during this meeting.