Germantown board awards $1.17 million ceiling replacement, $150,500 cabling upgrade for Houston High and moves $1 million from reserves

Germantown Municipal School District Board of Education on March 11 approved replacement of ceiling tile, grid and lighting at Houston High School, awarded a separate cabling contract for upgraded CAT‑6A wiring and moved $1,000,000 from district reserves into the capital budget to fund the work.

The measures were voted on at a special called meeting following a work session. The board voted unanimously to award bid FY2025003 for Houston High Ceiling Tile Grid and Light Replacement Phase 1 to A and B Construction for $1,168,971; to approve a Datacom Services Corporation proposal for $150,500 to upgrade technology cabling; and to adopt Budget Amendment No. 21, transferring $1,000,000 from reserves into the capital budget to pay toward the project.

The board heard details from Mr. Kathy, a district staff member, who said Phase 1 covers four areas: the second floor of the main building, the main entry and administrative offices, the lobby outside the gym and auditorium, and the annex building. He said the work is a “complete replacement of the ceiling tile and grid, above‑ceiling cabling,” with the exception of the CAT‑6A recabling, which was bid separately because of cooperative purchasing rules. Mr. Kathy noted the district received four bids and recommended A and B Construction as the lowest and best bidder, adding that the firm had completed similar work at Farmington and other district projects.

"Phase 1 will cover 4 areas in the building," Mr. Kathy said, describing where the work will take place. He told the board bidding and early approval are important because the work must be completed during the school break and contractors need time to mobilize and order materials.

Board Member John Curry (mover) and Vice Chair Strain (seconder) led the motion to approve the $1,168,971 bid. Vice Chair Strain moved approval of the $150,500 Datacom contract; Board Member Hendricks seconded. Vice Chair Strain moved the budget amendment to transfer $1,000,000 from reserves; Board Member Ellis seconded. Roll call for the three motions recorded aye votes from Mr. Strain, Mr. Hendricks, Mr. Curry, Mr. Ellis and Chair Griffin; each motion passed.

District staff explained the cabling upgrade will replace existing, older cabling with Cat‑6A above the ceilings while tiles are removed, improving network performance for a high‑traffic high school. The Datacom award was procured through the TIPS purchasing cooperative. The budget amendment transfers $1,000,000 from reserves into the capital budget; staff said additional capital funds already approved in this fiscal year will cover the remainder of the project cost and that typical contingency for change orders has been included.

Board members praised the project as necessary and time‑sensitive. "This is desperately needed at the high school, and it's going to make a huge difference for our students in the building and our faculty," Board Member Curry said during the special meeting discussion.

The district indicated work is planned to begin immediately after the school year ends—about two and a half months from the meeting date—to allow the contractor to mobilize and complete the Phase 1 scope in time for the next school year. Specific start and completion dates, phasing details beyond Phase 1, and the total project budget beyond the amounts approved tonight were not specified at the meeting.