Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Franklin High School topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Macon County split 3–2 on moving ahead with $127 million Franklin High School plan; ballot question cleared
Summary
The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted narrowly to proceed with a $127 million Franklin High School project and approved placing the project's location on the Nov. 2024 ballot after split votes and debate over scope, cost and timing.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 8 heard a detailed update on the Franklin High School project and narrowly approved two measures that advance the plan.
Emily Kite, senior project manager with LS3P, told the board the combined cost for the high school and stadium is now estimated at $127 million, reflecting about 9,000 additional square feet, a proposed walking track and roughly 15 months of escalation since the 2022 estimate. Kite said the Highlands School renovations and a Pre‑K/media center addition were merged into a separate package estimated at $5.5 million.
The board unanimously authorized the county to begin contract negotiations with Vannoy Construction for the Highlands School work, following the RFQ selection process. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Shearl moved to include the Franklin High School project and its proposed location on the Nov. 2024 general election ballot; that motion passed 3–2, with Commissioners Shearl and Higdon voting in favor and Commissioners Josh Young, Antione and Chairman Gary Shields voting against.
Commissioner Josh Young then moved, with Commissioner Antione seconding, to proceed with the Franklin High School project as recommended by LS3P. That motion also passed 3–2; Young, Shields and Antione voted in favor while Shearl and Higdon voted opposed.
Supporters on the board and project presenters emphasized the added program space and the need to move forward with construction planning and procurement steps, including using an RFQ process to select a construction manager and pursuing a phased Construction Manager at Risk approach (equipment purchase, pre‑construction services and then a guaranteed maximum price). Opponents raised concerns about the increased cost and scope since the earlier estimate.
Next steps outlined in the meeting included finalizing RFQ/selection steps and returning to the board in March 2024 to consider awarding a construction manager at risk contract and continuing contract negotiations for Highlands School work. The board also directed staff to place the Franklin High School location question on the Nov. 2024 ballot for voter consideration.
Actions recorded in the minutes show the board split on policy and funding priorities for the high school project but adopted motions to proceed and to seek voter approval of the site as separate, formal steps.
