Board approves $2.23 million stadium lighting and scoreboard installation at high schools and middle schools

The Farmington Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to award a construction contract for installation of scoreboards and stadium field lighting at several district schools, approving a recommended bid award of $2,025,317.03 plus a 10% contingency of $202,532 for a total project cost of $2,227,849.03.

The motion to approve the award to MHM Construction LLC was made by Board Member Mrs. Heinrich and supported by Mrs. Smith; the roll-call vote was unanimous. President Terry Weems announced the motion passed.

The board packet and the motion state the project funds will come from the capital projects (Building and Site 2020) fund. Board members clarified the purchase of the scoreboard equipment itself had been approved previously and this packet covered construction and installation costs, including site work needed to mount the scoreboards and install stadium lighting.

Why it matters: The contract covers construction associated with equipment the district already authorized to buy. The work is part of the district's 2020 bond program and represents the next step to complete athletic improvements identified in that bond’s needs assessment.

During the public-comment period and in board discussion on the motion, several speakers — including parents and students connected to the district’s FIRST robotics program (the Hack Bots) — urged the board to prioritize STEM facilities and support for robotics teams. Speakers said robotics teams currently rely on limited and improvised spaces for heavy equipment and robot testing and described fundraising and volunteer efforts that sustain the program.

Board members acknowledged those concerns on the record. Ms. Heinrich, Mr. Hall and others said the 2020 bond’s original needs assessment did not identify dedicated robotics or STEM-shop space as a funded priority; several trustees said they plan to revisit districtwide STEM facility needs as part of the finance and facilities work this year. President Weems and other board members said the finance and facilities committee will take up the issue and that staff will present options and a timeline for how additional STEM space and prioritization could be addressed going forward.

The motion text and vote: “I move that the Board of Education approve the bid award for the installation of scoreboards and stadium field lighting at Farmington and North Farmington High Schools, scoreboards at East, Power and Warner (middle) Schools and the two alternates as outlined in the 01/21/2025 letters … to MHM Construction LLC in the amount of $2,025,317.03 and construction contingency 10% of $202,532. This project award recommendation equals $2,227,849.03 with funds to come from the capital projects building and site 2020 fund as presented.” The motion was made by Mrs. Heinrich, supported by Mrs. Smith, and carried by unanimous roll call (Heinrich: yes; Dr. Blau: yes; Hall: yes; Ms. Wien: yes; President Terry Weems: yes).

Board context and next steps: Trustees said the bid implements work already identified in the 2020 bond program (deferred-maintenance and improvements). Several trustees asked staff to present a project timetable and to continue coordinating with other committees about the district’s broader facilities priorities, including STEM spaces. Members emphasized this action does not preclude future funding requests for other needs; it funds the work scoped in this bid package.

Ending: With the vote, the district will move forward with construction bidding and contracting steps. Board members asked staff to return to the finance and facilities committee with options and a timeline for addressing STEM program space needs and potential funding strategies.