Board approves Highland Hills natatorium renovation and several capital projects; appoints student support services lead

The New Albany-Floyd County Schools board approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $4,261,795 for the Highland Hills Middle School natatorium renovation and voted unanimously on several other capital projects and a personnel appointment during the meeting.

The natatorium work, described as phase 2 of the project, carries a total project estimate of $5,386,687. Facilities staff said demolition would begin after the current swim season, with work continuing through the summer and a planned completion before the next swim season in August. "This will cause the pool to be unusable," said Matt Wint, a district facilities staff member, describing the contractor's timetable and the district's attempt to secure alternate pool access at Hazelwood.

Wint said certain items were pulled from the bid to be procured separately — bleachers, a roll-up door and fans — and that warranties vary by component. Labor warranties for construction trades are one year; warranties for HVAC and the pool liner differ and staff said they would confirm liner warranty details. Wint said the district expects the renovated pool to last roughly as long as the previous one (about 20 years), but described that as an estimate.

The meeting also approved a number of other projects and personnel actions by unanimous 7-0 votes. The board approved awarding the scoreboard contract for the football stadiums at New Albany High School and Floyd Central High School to DSO for $685,632; the quote includes a seven-year warranty on the boards and controls and supports advertising on the displays. The board approved a base-bid construction project to create under-bleacher storage at New Albany High School for $128,000 to move equipment out of interior spaces and protect it from weather.

On personnel, the board approved the superintendent's recommendation to hire Brooke Lannon as assistant to the superintendent for student support services. The board approved a consultation agreement so Lannon can begin work with the district before a July start date; the consultation details and compensation were described as part of the approved agreement.

The board also moved to table the gym bleacher replacement project at Floyd Central to allow further research; that motion passed 7-0.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, claims, payroll, transfers, staffing report, contracts and multiple routine approvals): Passed 7-0. (Motion and second not specified in transcript.) - Appointment: Approved recommendation to hire Brooke Lannon as assistant to the superintendent for student support services, with a consultation agreement for interim work; outcome: approved 7-0. - Highland Hills Middle School natatorium renovation (GMP 2): Approved; proposed GMP $4,261,795; total project cost reported $5,386,687; outcome: approved 7-0. (Facilities staff said demolition would start after the swim season and finish by August.) - Floyd Central gym bleacher replacement: Motion to table for further research; outcome: tabled 7-0. - Scoreboard projects (New Albany and Floyd Central football stadiums): Awarded to DSO for $685,632, with seven-year warranty on boards and controls and capacity for advertising; outcome: approved 7-0. - Under-bleacher storage at New Albany High School: Approved base bid $128,000; outcome: approved 7-0.

Why it matters

The natatorium decision affects student athletes and community use because the pool will be unavailable during construction; the board and staff are seeking alternate pool access for practices and events. The capital approvals move multiple facilities upgrades forward across the district's campuses and establish contracts and budgets that will shape near-term construction and maintenance work.

District planning and next steps

Superintendent Dr. Madison said the district will hold a work session with Schmidt (the facilities consultant) on March 3 to review building assessments, prioritized needs and approximate costs for systemwide facility work; the session is intended to provide a snapshot of needs and to begin prioritization and financial planning.

Board members and staff also discussed the legislative session's potential budget impacts and encouraged continued advocacy and monitoring of state and federal actions that could affect local school funding.

Sources and attributions

Direct quotes and specific procedural statements in this article come from district staff and board members during the meeting. When a speaker's full first name was not provided in the transcript, this article uses the name as provided there.

Ending

The board scheduled additional planning work and outreach as it moves into design and procurement for these projects; the natatorium and other capital items approved at the meeting are expected to proceed through contractor coordination and standard warranty and procurement processes.