Board updated on property acquisition, FEMA/TIMA grant status and contractor-selection approach

During the July 7 meeting, Fayetteville City School System officials updated the board on a pending deed transfer for district-owned property, a verbal approval of additional grant funds from TIMA and the district’s approach to selecting a contractor for a school construction project.

The board was told the district’s name is currently on the deed and that a check being written this week should complete the transaction; once recorded, the district will begin assessing the property for intended uses, a staff member said.

On grant funding, the district reported that TIMA has verbally approved an initial request for additional funding to cover qualified bids above the original grant allotment and that those funds are expected to come from COVID-related allocations that must be obligated by September. Staff said TIMA’s approval is verbal and that the formal paperwork has been sent to FEMA for processing; FEMA’s review and other national disaster work may be delaying the formal confirmation.

Officials said they have requested roughly $3,000,000 in additional funds as an add-on to the grant; the board was told final terms, including the required local match, will determine which bidder is “lowest and best” for the Fayetteville City School System’s budget. The superintendent recommended the system select the qualifying bidder that is the lowest-and-best within the district’s available funds once the grant-match numbers are finalized; no board action is required for that selection, staff said.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, representatives from Century Construction Group introduced their company and noted prior work on FEMA-rated dome projects in the region; Century said an architect partner, JBHM, is also familiar with similar work. Century’s representatives asked the board to consider their bid on the district’s dome project and answered brief questions.

Board members asked for transparency on how the “lowest and best” calculation would be applied; the superintendent said once the TIMA/FEMA letters arrive staff will present the math and supporting letters at the next board meeting so the selection decision and supporting documentation are on the record.

Staff also reported that ongoing site and building work (new Aspen’s building/canopy/sidewalks) remains on schedule despite recent rain delays and that the project team expects the canopy and sidewalks to be substantially complete for use on day one of school.