Board approves $29.42 million guaranteed maximum price and related funding for Millington Middle School project

Millington Municipal Schools Board of Education on Aug. 4 approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $29,421,780 from Linkus Construction Company, Inc., for the Millington Middle School (MIS) project and approved related budget and contract actions to fund and oversee the work.

The GMP vote followed a presentation that the price is the maximum the contractor can charge under the contract. “This is the maximum that the price can be,” the Director of Schools said during the discussion, adding that the cap prevents the contractor from charging more if costs rise. The board approved the GMP by roll call; all members present voted yes.

Why it matters: the GMP locks a ceiling on the construction manager’s charge for the MIS project and was paired with a capital funds amendment and procurement moves the district said are needed to keep the project on schedule.

Board action and funding details - Guaranteed maximum price: $29,421,780 awarded to Linkus Construction Company, Inc. The motion was moved by Cody Childress and seconded by Barbara Gray; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all board members present voting aye. - FY26 capital funds amendment: the board approved a budget amendment that included a $3,375,000 increase to capital funds tied to the MIS project. That amendment was part of a larger budget amendment package discussed at the work session and approved earlier in the meeting. - USDA-required inspector contract: the board approved a contract for inspector services for $142,328, with funding identified in USDA funds; board members voted to approve the contract on roll call.

Project status and oversight Board members and staff said the MIS project is on schedule and that early work has not uncovered surprises during site preparation. “We are on target. We are right on pace with the intermediate school,” the Director of Schools said, noting construction management oversight remains active.

District staff said anticipated invoice submissions tied to the MIS project have been identified and that the capital amendment covers those anticipated costs. The board expressed appreciation for the city’s role in supporting the project; the superintendent and other speakers thanked the mayor and city officials for assistance with financing and coordination.

Contracting and procurement context Board members also discussed related procurement matters connected to the construction program. Staff explained the GMP is the cap on the construction portion of the project; other fees and program costs exist but the GMP includes contractor fees for the construction work under this contract.

Votes at a glance (related to MIS) - Guaranteed maximum price, Linkus Construction Company, Inc., $29,421,780 — mover: Cody Childress; second: Barbara Gray; outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - FY26 capital amendment (capital funds increase $3,375,000 tied to MIS) — outcome: approved (roll call; part of earlier budget amendment vote). - USDA inspector contract, $142,328 — mover: Barbara Gray; second: Cody Childress; outcome: approved (roll call).

What the board said next Board members thanked staff, construction partners and city leaders for work on the project and emphasized the scale of planning that precedes the visible construction: “There’s a lot of partners and a lot of players and a lot of moving parts,” a board member said, thanking the city and construction partners for their roles. Staff committed to provide more detailed cost breakdowns to board members on request.

Next steps With the GMP and capital funding approved, district staff said construction will continue under the established schedule and the USDA inspector will perform the required oversight tied to USDA-funded portions of the project.