North Pike board accepts Jaguar Field bid contingent on 3-mill note proceeds

The North Pike School District board voted to advertise remaining 3-mill note proceeds and accepted a bid for Jaguar Field renovations, but the board made the acceptance explicitly contingent on receipt and closure of those note proceeds.

The recommendation to accept the bid from Paul Jackson and Sons and the accompanying recommendation from architect MP Design Group was presented as conditional: if the advertised 3-mill note proceeds are not received and closed, the district will not proceed with the project. Bond attorney Jim Young advised including that contingency to protect the district.

Why it matters: the project includes a renovated stadium and supporting site work that district leaders say will let the high school host home games on campus instead of continuing the current rental arrangement. The vote kicks off financing steps and lets staff seek interest-rate information from banks while design and contracting move forward subject to funding.

Key details: the staff summary provided to the board showed $764,670 earmarked from the district maintenance fund balance toward the project; the district’s reported fund balance at the time shown in the materials was $4,900,000. The superintendent and staff said the state requires a 7% minimum fund balance; using the $764,670 would leave the district with an estimated balance around 21% (figures provided by staff during the meeting). The superintendent said the construction schedule is about 200 days and, if everything goes as planned, the district could aim for an October–November completion window.

Board members and staff discussed capacity and design: staff said the planned home-side seating capacity is about 1,100, with tiered “hill” seating on the home side and space for spectators who bring chairs; existing bleachers would be retained until final decisions are made. The superintendent said the district expects to continue playing next season at Southwest while construction proceeds; playoff scheduling could affect some dates.

The board approved a motion to seek interest-rate information and advertise the 3-mill note proceeds and separately approved accepting the Paul Jackson and Sons bid contingent on those proceeds. Minutes and the architectural recommendation from MP Design Group were referenced during the vote.

The board’s action does not obligate the district to award a contract unless the note proceeds are received and the financing closes. Staff also said the advertised note will return to the board for approval of closing terms at a future meeting or special meeting if required.

Sources in meeting: the superintendent (name not specified) presented the recommendation; Tina (district staff member) explained the contingency and next steps; bond attorney Jim Young was cited as advising the contingency language; MP Design Group authored the recommendation letter and Paul Jackson and Sons was the recommended bidder.

Looking ahead: staff said they will not publicize project renderings widely until the financing step is clearer and recommended holding back broader public announcements until the note is advertised and rates are known.