Hoke County board approves high‑school restroom renovation after bidding dispute; county approval sought for extra HVAC funds
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Summary
The Hoke County Board of Education approved a renovation of high‑school restrooms after administration said only one contractor submitted a formal bid. Board members pressed for three bids and county approval is required for a $16,000 HVAC reallocation before a final contract amendment.
The Hoke County Board of Education voted to approve a renovation project for the high‑school restrooms on Feb. 10 after administration reported that only one contractor formally responded to the district's requests for proposals.
Administration said it posted the RFP twice and Thomas Plumbing was the sole formal bidder. Dr. Hunt, who oversaw the procurement explanation, said, “Thomas Plumbing was the only company that submitted a formal bid.” The administration advised the board that an earlier estimate of about $149,000 did not include new mini‑split HVAC units for the restrooms; adding the HVAC units increases the cost by roughly $16,000.
Why it matters: board members said the bathrooms are a student‑safety and health priority and urged prompt action. But several board members pressed for procurement transparency and asked why the district did not present three bids as the county commissioners requested. One board member noted that when the district asked county commissioners earlier this summer, the figure presented was $150,000 and asked for clarity on the change. “When we went before the County Commissioners, they said $150,000,” the board member said.
Administration and supporters said the $16,000 is proposed as a reallocation from savings accumulated in completed capital projects and that the district will seek the county commissioners’ permission to use those saved funds for the mini‑split systems. Dr. Hunt explained that the mini‑split HVAC systems were not included in the earlier quote and that when considered together the combined package would better address air circulation in the restrooms.
Next steps and conditions: the board approved the renovation subject to county commissioners approving use of $16,000 from capital savings for mini‑splits; if the county approves, administration will return with a contract amendment and a finalized agreement. Board members reiterated expectations for transparent procurement and asked staff to document efforts to obtain multiple bids in the project file.
Outcome: motion to proceed with the restroom renovation carried; tally and named roll‑call votes were not specified in the public record of this meeting.
Context: administrators said the RFP was posted in the fall and again in November; the district received one formal bid. Several board members noted the restroom item had been removed from the agenda on two previous occasions and urged the district to complete the repairs to avoid continued disruption for students.
