Board approves architect appointments, contract renewals and project awards; enters executive session

During the Feb. 12 work session the Cobb County Board of Education considered multiple SPLOST and facilities items and approved them without recorded objection.

Staff asked the board to adopt certificates of resolution to receive final state capital outlay reimbursements for several projects (Garrett Middle School modifications, Durham Middle School modifications, Lindley Middle School modifications, and Shellerford Falls Elementary). Reported final reimbursement amounts included $69,531 and $91,933.70 for two separate Garrett projects (staff said the Garrett entries reflect separate phases), $100,761.20 for Durham Middle School, $104,061.90 for Lindley Middle School, and $87,213 for Shellerford Falls Elementary. Staff said adopting the certificates would close active construction files and allow the district to receive final state payments.

The board approved an architect appointment for Russell Elementary renovations recommending Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart & Associates with estimated design fees of 5% of the construction estimate (about $220,056.80) and approved a recommendation to appoint CGLS Architects for Lewis Elementary renovations with estimated design fees of $233,517.85 (5% of the estimate). Both items were presented as necessary to maintain SPLOST 6 project schedules.

The board also authorized renewal of contracts for portable classroom relocations, leases and related services with ABUC Incorporated (Mableton) and Mobile Modular Management Corp. (Arcade) to provide modulars and related services, an arrangement staff said is budgeted across SPLOST 5, SPLOST 6 and district general funds and estimated at up to $1,500,000. Finally, staff recommended and the board approved a contract award to Place Services Incorporated (Canton) for replacement of walk-in freezers and coolers at Fry Elementary, Hightower Trail Middle and Sanders Elementary in the amount of $1,498,600 with a substantial completion date of July 2026.

At the conclusion of the open session items, the chair asked for a motion to move to executive session to discuss personnel, land, legal and student matters. Mr. Wheeler moved; the chair stated there was a second and recorded the vote as "showing 7 in favor and none against," after which the board adjourned to executive session following a 10-minute break.

The agenda-item approvals were recorded in the meeting as consent items or presented with no recorded objections; the record does not show roll-call vote tallies for the construction-related approvals, but the executive-session motion was recorded with a 7–0 favorable showing.