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Board reviews small capital requests and a vending‑machine policy change for school CTE programs
Summary
Engineering staff cleared two small facility requests — a CDC fence at Blackman Middle and a CTE pavilion for Whitworth Buchanan Middle — funded by grants, and board members were briefed on a proposed policy change allowing schools to operate vending under CTE programs.
The work session included several smaller facilities and program items that staff said will come to the board for formal action at a forthcoming meeting.
Engineering staff reported no objections to a request by Blackman Middle School to install about 100 feet of fencing to enclose a CDC area, and said the anticipated cost of $7,830 would be funded by a local grant. The Career and Technical Education Department presented a proposal to buy a 130‑by‑24 open‑air pavilion for Whitworth Buchanan Middle School for about $92,544; staff said the purchase would use a Tennessee Innovative Schools grant (the CTE grant) and that engineering would work with the school on siting.
Separately, staff briefed the board on a requested change to district policy that would allow Career and Technical Education programs to operate vending activities directly in some schools when private vending contractors decline to service a campus. Staff said such arrangements must include inventory controls and proper accounting through school books, and they noted some schools could realize revenue or lower retail prices if they operated vending locally. Staff asked the board to consider a policy vote at the next meeting so CTE programs can proceed where contractors are exiting the market.
Engineering staff also discussed lower‑cost project purchasing rules: purchases under a statutory threshold may be executed through approved vendors or via a small‑procurement process and purchases above $50,000 require formal public bidding, staff said.
