Board moves forward on Fletcher building contract; committee lists low bid and FEMA funding plan

The board moved to accept the buildings committee recommendation to award construction of the Fletcher building — the future Lewis Miller Career and Technical High School — to the lowest responsive bidder. Committee materials presented a low bid of $18,268,000 from Thompson Construction Company LLC and established a project budget figure in committee materials near $19.95 million. The committee said funds would be derived from FEMA project funds and local funds; precise local-match amounts were included in committee packet materials but were not read into the record verbatim during the meeting.

Board members asked clarifying questions about FEMA reimbursement mechanics and the role of private donations when FEMA is the primary funder; staff explained FEMA requires grantees to show the full cost paid before reimbursement and that donated work or in-kind contributions do not count as payments FEMA will reimburse. A public commenter asked whether private donations could accelerate the project; staff said donations would not change FEMA reimbursement accounting and that reimbursement requests must reflect actual payments.

Committee also emphasized project-change reporting and directed that any major changes be returned to the committee before advertising. The board authorized the superintendent or board president to sign necessary documents and to advertise for related bids where required.

Next steps: finalize contract award paperwork, coordinate with FEMA on reimbursement and required documentation, and report back to the buildings committee on the construction schedule and funding breakdown.