Board pauses updated facility study, directs architects-on-demand approach
Loading...
Summary
After months of planning and a revised proposal from LS3P, the Henderson County Board of Public Education voted to delay a $155,000 comprehensive facility study and instead use architects on an as-needed basis while staff refines priorities and pricing for major projects.
The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted Oct. 13 to pause plans for a revised, district-wide facility study and instead direct administration to hire architects on an as-needed basis to evaluate projects the board approves.
The measure emerged after staff described a refined proposal from LS3P that would have focused comprehensive site evaluations on five priority campuses — Apple Valley, Bruce Drysdale, East Henderson, Henderson Elementary and North Henderson — while providing targeted updates and budget estimates for other schools. The revised proposal was priced at about $155,000, down from an earlier near-$250,000 estimate.
Superintendent Art Garrett and Director of Facilities Chad Dillon told the board the district already relies on a 2019 Novus facilities study for project lists and that staff use that list to target annual MRTS and capital outlay spending. Garrett said the 2019 report’s project lists remain useful even though many cost estimates are outdated; the district has completed more than 50 items from that plan and identified 39 more items to address through 2033.
Board members pressed on cost, scope and procurement strategy. Board member Craven questioned the value of a large study when the district already maintains a prioritized list and suggested issuing targeted requests for proposals (RFPs) for specific projects such as East Henderson High School’s HVAC replacement. Another board member argued an RFQ process can leave the district negotiating from a weak position after a vendor has “won” the qualification step.
After discussion, board member Craven moved — and the board seconded and carried — a motion to wait and instead “hire an architect on an as-needed basis to evaluate our sites.” Administration said it will continue using the district’s existing facilities order-of-operations, supply updated budget numbers as specific projects are selected, and explore other vendors who can provide targeted cost updates (the board discussed a neighboring county’s reserve-study vendor as an example).
The facility discussion also covered ongoing capital work and immediate needs: card-access upgrades across campuses, roofing projects at West and East Henderson, paving at Hendersonville Elementary, and a stormwater pipe failure under Hendersonville Middle School’s softball field that staff said may require pipe replacement or a trenchless lining insert. Cost estimates for the sinkhole repair are being refined.
Board members asked administration to prepare a focused list of near-term capital priorities and pricing that can inform upcoming budget decisions and to convene a facilities workshop in January. The board also appointed member Stephanie Cantwell to the joint facilities committee that liaises with county officials on the proposed new transportation/ bus garage design.
The board carried the motion to pause the broad LS3P work and pursue architect-as-needed evaluations, and asked staff to bring targeted project pricing and options into budget season for board prioritization.
