Committee forwards resolution to let staff sign routine construction documents to full board

The Buildings & Grounds Committee voted Feb. 2 to send a proposed resolution to the full Frederick County School Board that would delegate authority to the superintendent and designated staff to sign routine regulatory and administrative documents related to major construction projects.

Unidentified Speaker (S3), who presented the proposed resolution, said the delegation would allow staff to approve “permitting, the bathroom code modification request” and similar administrative items so projects do not stall while awaiting board signatures. The presenter said such signings would not create “any additional cost outside of what would already be approved” and that any change with a material cost impact would still require board action.

Doctor Armour supported the approach as a common practice for large projects, saying other school divisions use similar delegations to keep work moving and that committee members would still have access to the documents for review. Mister Cherry moved to forward the resolution to the full board with a recommendation of approval; the motion was seconded and the committee voted in favor.

Why it matters: The change is designed to speed routine administrative steps—permits, minor variance or code modification requests and other non‑budgetary items—so that contractors can continue work without waiting for full‑board signoff. Staff emphasized that substantive budget changes would return to the board for approval.

What’s next: The committee forwarded the resolution to the full school board for consideration; the transcript does not specify the date the full board will act on the resolution.