Board approves Goodwill Excel Center expansion plan, including proposal for a facility at Shelby County detention center

The board approved a request related to the expansion of the Goodwill Excel Center, a project discussed during public comment and later considered on the consent/action calendar.

Ron Schuyler, representing Goodwill Excel, told the board the expansion has two primary pieces: repurposing the former Hollywood Elementary site to establish an Excel Center in that ZIP code and creating an Excel Center at the Shelby County detention facility. Schuyler said negotiations reduced an initial price estimate from roughly $3,000,000 to about $750,000 for one site and thanked board members and staff for their assistance. Former student Anthony Phillips and others spoke in support of Excel Center programming for incarcerated students, describing education and credentialing outcomes that helped them reenter the workforce.

Board Member McKinney pulled the Goodwill Excel expansion from the consent agenda earlier in the meeting to raise additional questions about the plan and potential county funding for wraparound services (for families of incarcerated participants). McKinney asked whether data exist showing how many incarcerated program participants have children in the district, and suggested coordinating an ask to the Shelby County Commission for integrated supports that would ease transitions for families.

Superintendent Richmond and Goodwill representatives said they would pursue that information and are willing to collaborate on a funding request. The board then voted to approve the Goodwill Excel expansion item by roll call; each board member recorded an "aye." The motion passed with nine affirmative votes.

Ending: District staff said they will work with Goodwill and county partners to gather family linkage data and to explore requests for county support of wraparound services when the project advances toward implementation.