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Cumberland School Committee approves contracts, policy changes and construction awards; payments total $1.34 million
Summary
At its May 8 meeting the Cumberland School Committee voted unanimously on a slate of contract memoranda, amended policies, furniture and construction awards and authorized payment of $1,337,441.09 in bills.
The Cumberland School Committee on Thursday, May 8, 2025, voted unanimously on a package of labor memoranda, policy updates and construction and furniture awards that the administration said are needed to advance multiple renovation projects and district operations.
Among the actions taken, the committee approved memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the Cumberland Teachers Association (CTA) covering stipends and school psychologist reimbursement and an MOA with ITSA for dues collection. The committee also approved two amended policies — A5 (Title IX protections) and K6 (textbook loans to students enrolled in nonpublic schools) — and authorized multiple construction and furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) contracts tied to the district's school renovation program. The committee also approved payment of the bills in the amount of $1,337,441.09.
Why it matters: The votes advance projects the district and its project manager say are scheduled for summer construction and equip newly renovated spaces. The Title IX policy change follows a recent court ruling that the committee's policy subcommittee said requires a narrower Title IX wording to align with federal guidance; the committee said other anti-discrimination protections remain available under state law and existing district policies.
Key votes and details
- Approval of agenda and consent agenda (minutes and routine reports): each motion passed 6–0. The record notes one member, Mr. Bacon, absent.
- Motion to seal executive session minutes: passed 6–0.
- Homeschool instruction requests for the 2024–25 school year: approved 6–0.
- CTA MOA on stipends: approved 6–0.
- CTA MOA on school psychologist reimbursement: approved 6–0.
- ITSA MOA regarding dues collection: approved 6–0.
- Amended policy A5 (Title IX protections): motion by Ms. Feather, second by Ms. Smith; approved 6–0. Committee discussion referenced a recent Kentucky court ruling and state/federal law alignment.
- Amended policy K6 (textbook loans to students enrolled in nonpublic schools): motion by Ms. Feather, second by Ms. Goldstein; approved 6–0.
- FF&E — Community Elementary School interior renovations: award to W.B. Mason, $649,348.55; motion passed 6–0.
- FF&E — Multiple-school package (pre-K center, upper-level high school, North Cumberland Middle School, McCourt science lab): award to W.B. Mason, $405,458.25 (as presented); motion passed 6–0.
- Guaranteed maximum price (GMP) — pre-K center / upper-level high school innovation project: award recommended to Alberg Construction Inc., amount not to exceed $3,233,329.00; approved 6–0.
- GMP — North Cumberland Middle School science lab renovation: award recommended to Alberg Construction Inc., $1,056,631.00; approved 6–0.
- GMP — McCourt Middle School science lab renovation: award recommended to Alberg Construction Inc., $1,158,423.00; approved 6–0.
- Resolutions SCPR-052025-33 through SCPR-052025-38 (various capital/resolution items, including LED lighting replacement): approved 6–0.
- Payment of bills: motion by Ms. Smith, second by Mr. Dean; passed 6–0. Total authorized: $1,337,441.09.
What the committee said and next steps
Presenters from Colliers Project Leaders (staff identified the firm as the district's project manager) explained the FF&E and GMP recommendations and the evaluation process that led to W.B. Mason and Alberg Construction being recommended for awards. Committee members noted the procurement reviews and asked procedural questions before voting.
Committee members also discussed the Title IX language change in the context of a court decision and the need to remain compliant with federal law while preserving other nondiscrimination protections in district policy.
Several motions were fast-tracked with limited debate and passed unanimously. The administration and Colliers representatives said construction work is scheduled to proceed this summer as funded and contracted.
Votes at a glance list of recorded motions and outcomes appears above. Where a specific dollar amount or contract bidder was not detailed on the record, the agenda packet supplied to the committee contains the procurement documentation and exact contract language.
