Board reviews dozens of contracts and a $5.37 million La Flora change order; AI policy and property sale noted
Summary
At a Mobile County Public Schools work session, administrators read dozens of contracts and change orders including a $5,369,125.83 increase to La Flora High's mechanical upgrade (bringing the project total to $59,851,875.83); the meeting also introduced a draft AI policy and discussed property-sale paperwork for Urbie Street.
District presenters read a long list of action items and contracts during the Jan. 26 work session, ranging from special-education service agreements and staff loans to professional development, software licenses and multiple construction change orders.
The board heard Action C30: a La Flora High School mechanical upgrade and change order No. 1, described as "an increase of $5,369,125.83...coming out of local funds for a grand total of $59,851,875.83." The presenter explained the work focuses on upgrading the older front portion of the building rather than a full renovation and said the district plans to relocate a school into that area.
Presenter-read items also included a Williamson High football stadium change order (C31), an increase of $219,009.18 for a revised total of $6,649,009.18, and several professional-development and service agreements: United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile (C4) for $267,750 from special-education funds; Princeton Staffing (C6) for $46,127 for special-education coverage at Ella Grant; and multiple Title I and local-technology-funded purchases and subscriptions.
Action C3 introduced a proposed artificial intelligence policy, procedure and guide "to establish how we will integrate AI to support teachers, learning, and operation while protecting the interest of our students, staff, and the community," the presenter said.
The presenter noted that many smaller contracts and personnel items would be consolidated onto the consent agenda (C40–C50 and D1–D35) and that several items were listed under separate cover. Board members asked clarifying questions about the La Flora scope and change order costs, the stadium scoreboard/video-board items and whether some projects were safety-driven rather than cosmetic.
No formal votes on the individual contract items were recorded during the work session; the presenter invited board members to ask questions and said staff would provide additional detail as needed.
