Board hears details of state CAP grant for agri‑technology; district reports early purchases, construction planning
Summary
District staff outlined how a state workforce CAP grant for agri‑technology will be spent across high‑school programs, described early purchases (AG trucks, van, mobile chicken coops) and proposed using a construction manager for facility upgrades; board authorized staff to proceed with contract negotiations for the construction manager.
District staff gave an extended presentation on a state workforce 'CAP' grant awarded for agri‑technology, explaining how the district will prioritize facility upgrades, professional learning and equipment purchases for career‑tech programs.
The presenter said the CAP grant's funding window runs from June 2025 through June 2027 and that staff have been working with teachers across the district to develop a priority list of projects rather than buying wide quantities of consumables immediately. Early purchases already made under planning and prior state funds include three agricultural trucks (one for each participating school), an extra passenger van for competitions and two large mobile chicken coops for Wilson Middle High and Cedar Key.
Staff emphasized that the state does not allow new construction under this grant round and that projects must be remodels or adaptations of existing facilities. To manage the design and contracting complexity across several sites, staff recommended engaging a construction manager; they reported two finalist firms from a mandatory pre‑bid meeting (Scorpio Construction and Messina & Sons) and proposed awarding to Scorpio with Messina held as a backup if negotiations failed.
Board members asked about procurement and construction timing and a motion was made and approved to accept staff's recommendation and authorize negotiations and contract authority to move the projects forward. Staff also said the district had applied for and been awarded a second CAP grant focused on health academy and applied cybersecurity programs; the district requested $1.8 million and was awarded $901,000 pending final RFA approval.
Staff said the CAP funds will be coordinated with existing Perkins federal funding and other sources to sequence construction, purchases and professional learning. Trustees asked staff to provide regular project updates as costs and schedules are finalized.
