Board approves $639,830 in redesign fees for North Columbia elementary amid debate over storm shelters and timing

The Maury County Board of Education voted to approve $639,830 in additional redesign and professional services fees for the proposed North Columbia elementary prototype, a decision that followed lengthy debate about timing, code changes and whether the county commission will fund the project.

Board staff explained the fees would update the prototype design to meet the new 2021 model codes and verify product availability and budgeting. Presenter Mr. Perryman (school facilities staff) said the redesign work is based on a projected construction estimate of about $53 million to $55 million and that fees must be updated to match code and product availability. He said part of the work is required if construction is to proceed and that delaying the redesign risks higher material prices and unavailable products.

Several board members urged caution. Miss Stevenson and Mr. McGee pressed staff for the original design fees and for a breakdown of professional fees and contingencies; Miss Stevenson said she had asked for the original figure at a previous meeting. Mr. McGee and others pointed to accumulated spending on planning and land acquisition and expressed reluctance to approve more funds without clarity on county commission funding. Mr. Plagman and Mr. Moore asked whether storm shelters are required; staff said professionals had told them shelters would be required during review, but a cited email from Philip Cameron of the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's office stated the state had not adopted the 2021 I-codes yet and that "storm shelters are not required." Staff said they would follow up directly with that office for clarification.

Board member Mr. Carter spoke in favor of approving the redesign fees, calling student safety investments worthwhile and saying delay had contributed to rising costs. Mr. Moore moved to approve the requested redesign fees; Mr. Carter seconded. After discussion and questions about whether the county commission approval is required for the fund-balance amendment, the board voted to approve the request.

Separately, the board approved the broader capital budget request submitted for county budget committee consideration. The capital package presented by staff totaled $64.7 million for FY26 and included bus purchases, facility renovations and the North Columbia project line items. Mr. Perryman said the FY26 plan included requests for 10 buses at about $170,000 each and other district capital projects; board members noted the capital request is reviewed by the county budget committee and then the county commission.

Board members on both sides said the decision did not end the conversation: opponents said they were reluctant to spend more from fund balance without county commitment; supporters said further delay would increase costs. Staff noted that if the board approves a purchase from fund balance, the county commission would receive the budget amendment but does not have authority to stop the school system from using its savings; a budget amendment still requires commission approval to avoid audit issues. Staff listed a 3'4 month timeline for design updates and a likely 7'8 month window before the project would be ready to bid if funding and approvals are in place.

The motion passed.