Benton County Board approves sports‑medicine contract, $547,004 construction bid, budget reallocations and student data and college‑readiness contracts

At its September meeting the Benton County Board of Education approved several contracts and budget adjustments intended to support athletics, facility upgrades and student services.

Sports medicine: The board approved an agreement recommended by the executive committee with Dynamics Physical Therapy to serve as the district’s on-call sports medicine partner for high school football, basketball and other sports. The director explained the district had relied on West Tennessee Health Care last year but that provider could not supply an athletic trainer; Dynamics will provide a physical therapist or similar clinician on an on-call basis for events. A board member noted the district had budgeted for the service and estimated prior costs at roughly $300 per event or month. The motion to approve the executive committee report and the Dynamics agreement passed by roll call with 10 yes votes.

Construction bid: The board awarded the project bid for the HVAC and classroom mini‑split installations to Todd Prince Construction, which submitted the lowest bid at $547,004.70. The director said the scope will be completed in two phases so classes can continue (one pod during fall break; remaining work later) and noted use of local subcontractors. The vote to award the bid was recorded as 10–0 in favor.

Budget resolutions: The board approved a packet of budget resolutions to reallocate existing grant and maintenance funds (including Title I and pre‑K grant adjustments). The director emphasized these actions move existing dollars rather than add new funding.

Student information and college readiness contracts: The board approved an EduPoint student information system contract (the district has used EduPoint for 13 years) after staff explained that the state previously paid part of the cost but now provides no subsidy; the amount in the packet was described as "about $9,000 and $22 and 25¢ per suit" in the transcript. The board also approved a two‑year SchoolLinks contract to replace the prior vendor for tracking early postsecondary opportunities and reporting to the state; staff said the tool is intended to improve reporting accuracy and help the district secure state funding tied to those opportunities. Both contracts were approved by voice vote.

What’s next: Staff said the generator at the central office is installed and operational, work is planned on parent pick‑up areas and vocational center doors, and the district is exploring LED stadium lights with an estimated cost around $250,000 and potential grant funding to cover roughly half of that amount. The board scheduled a policy committee meeting for Monday the 8th at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned after routine closing motions.

Direct quotes from the meeting include the director’s description of the sports-medicine plan: "they will provide someone in all our football games, all our basketball games," and the director’s summary of the student-information contract: "This is the student information system we’ve been using for 13 years. ... Then they paid for half of it, and now they pay for none of it."