Facilities Committee approves sending design‑build procurement proposal for stadium premium projects to full board

The Facilities Committee of Union County Public Schools voted Feb. 26 to send a proposal to the full board that would allow the district to pursue the design‑build procurement method for premium bond stadium projects.

Committee members discussed the procurement option after staff presented a memo explaining how design‑build differs from the district's historically used methods, including design‑bid‑build and construction manager at risk. Miss Emel, who presented the memo, said the method would "allow us to streamline that project, which in essence will control the cost and reduce the time sequencing associated with the use of the different contracted services."

During discussion, a committee member seeking legal clarification said the chosen design‑build firm would contract with design professionals rather than performing design in‑house. "By law, they can't do the design themselves," the member said, adding that legislation enacted about a decade earlier requires contracting design services rather than using in‑house staff. Staff also reported consulting outside counsel, who advised the committee it could revert to design‑bid‑build or construction manager at risk if the district later decided not to continue with design‑build.

After discussion, the committee chair asked for a motion to send the design‑build procurement proposal to the full board. A committee member moved, another seconded, and the committee voted 4‑0 to forward the proposal.

The committee's approval was limited to forwarding the proposal for full‑board consideration; no contract awards or final procurement decisions were made at the meeting. Staff said next steps would include drafting the request for qualifications and continuing legal review before any contract is executed.