Johnson County Board approves court resurfacing, playground purchase, grants and several contracts; telehealth MOU tabled

The Johnson County Board of Education on a February meeting approved a string of facility and service contracts, accepted a $200,000 TVA EnergyRight grant for Laurel Elementary and moved forward on revenue and technology agreements while tabling a proposed telehealth memorandum of understanding for further revision.

Board members voted to award Baseline Sports Construction a $60,125 contract (Sourcewell contract #031622) to crack‑fill and resurface four tennis courts and a basketball playing area at Johnson County High School. Facilities staff said the work would take about six days and could begin in April if weather permits; staff also described an alternative stone‑overlay option with estimated costs on the order of $400,000 that the district rejected as impractical. Facilities staff told the board the same company had worked on the courts 12–15 years ago.

The board accepted a $200,000 TVA EnergyRight grant to fund HVAC and lighting upgrades at Laurel Elementary and formally approved using the grant funds as they are drawn down.

Using Head Start grant funds restricted to playground equipment, the board approved a purchase for Mountain City, Brown Creek and Doe schools with a stated amount in the meeting of approximately $439,597. Staff noted an 8–12 week equipment lead time and discussed surface options (poured‑in‑place versus bonded rubber mulch), saying poured‑in‑place requires suitable temperature and could delay installation if conditions are poor; staff committed to seeking redesigns or quotes if the budget allows.

The board approved a three‑year contract with Instructure to replace the district's transcript‑order service (staff reported modest rebate revenue used for attendance incentives), and it approved moving the district's VoIP and data services to the Anderson County consortium (contract #1747503) citing recurring connectivity and voice‑quality problems with the current provider and estimated annual savings of about $17,000.

The board renewed a District Solutions contract to allow advertising on school buses for the 2026–27 year; staff said the program has generated $29,163.75 since 2023 and the revenue is deposited to the transportation equipment fund. One board member voted against the renewal, citing discomfort with advertising on taxpayer‑owned vehicles, but the measure passed by roll call.

Telehealth MOU tabled: Board members discussed a single proposal received for telehealth services (Ballad Health/Valid). Key concerns included higher staff co‑pays under an urgent‑care billing route (staff noted $45 co‑pays for urgent care vs. prior $20.25) and whether local Johnson County Community Hospital providers would be included. Several board members asked for contract changes — removing automatic renewal, requiring annual board approval, and setting a hard start date (a suggested Aug. 1) so local‑provider access and lower co‑pays could be secured. After discussion the board moved to table the MOU until the March meeting so staff and the vendor can negotiate the requested revisions.

Votes at a glance: - Approve Baseline Sports Construction resurfacing contract (Sourcewell #031622): motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). Funding: general purpose. - Terminate Heritage Hall lease (to enable a new lease between board and parks & rec): motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). - Approve multi‑year transcript contract with Instructure: motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes); county legislative approval required because it crosses fiscal years. - Approve move to Anderson County consortium for VoIP/data (Contract #1747503): motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). - Approve facility naming: Corporal William C. Mosier Memorial Building: motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). - Renew District Solutions bus‑advertising contract (2026–27): motion passed by roll call (4 yes, 1 no). - Accept TVA EnergyRight grant, $200,000 for Laurel Elementary HVAC/lighting: motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). - Approve Head Start playground equipment purchase (~$439,597): motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes). - Telehealth MOU with Ballad Health/Valid: motion to table until March passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

What happens next: Staff will proceed with vendor scheduling for the approved projects (subject to weather and lead times), draft a new lease for Heritage Hall and return a revised telehealth MOU to the board in March after vendor and legal changes are negotiated.

Sources and quotations in this article come from the Johnson County Board meeting transcript. Facilities staff noted the Baseline work "can start in April" and estimated six days for resurfacing; staff also described an estimated $17,000 annual savings from the Anderson consortium and told the board the Head Start playground equipment has an 8–12 week lead time.