Tullahoma board approves bids to repair parking lots at East Middle and Robert E. Lee

At its March 10 meeting, the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education approved bids to repair, repave and reseal parking lots at East Middle School and Robert E. Lee.

District staff presented quotes of $130,281.60 for East Middle School (including approximately $82,300 to remove and repave damaged asphalt) and $30,897.60 for Robert E. Lee (including a $2,500 repave allowance). Mr. Jordan, the district finance/staff presenter, told the board the work addresses large sections of deteriorated asphalt and that crews will grind and replace areas before completing a two-coat sealing and restriping. Work is scheduled to begin when school is out for summer break and is expected to take about 30 days.

Board members asked clarifying questions about which lots would be repaved and the volume of traffic near athletic fields. "They need the extensive repairs," Mr. Jordan said, describing sections parallel to the softball field and a lot behind the cafeteria as especially deteriorated. Finance committee members said the projects are within the district’s maintenance fund; Mr. Jordan noted the district has a $950,000 budget for similar work and is projecting about $600,000 in run-rate spending, leaving room for the $161,179.20 in bids.

Pat Welsh moved to accept the sealcoat/repaving bids; Andy Witt seconded the motion, which the board approved by voice/hand vote. Board members and staff said scheduling the repaving as a coordinated, preplanned project reduces costs compared with ad hoc repairs.

The board did not name a contractor in public remarks but recorded approval of the presented bids and directed staff to proceed with planning and summer scheduling.