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Gadsden County School Board reviews FEMA recovery projects as insurance proceeds reshape costs
Summary
At a March 10 workshop the board heard Rostan consultants outline multiple FEMA recovery projects, showing large insurance reductions and options to amend scopes that could shift $millions in local cost share; board members pressed staff on timing and reimbursement risks.
QUINCY, Fla. — Gadsden County School Board members on March 10 heard a detailed briefing from Rostan consultants and district staff on several FEMA-funded recovery projects, many of which show sizable insurance offsets that could change the district's local cost share and project scope.
Mrs. Bruner introduced Rostan representatives Jeremy Landry and Joshua Bennett and asked them to summarize each project and the packet's insurance and Hazard Mitigation Proposal (HMP) calculations. "Rostan's representative will share with the Board an update on the FEMA projects," she said during the workshop.
The packet showed, for example, project #103018 (Gadsden Elementary Magnet School) with a FEMA SOW total near $867,397 and an HMP SOW of $47,747; after a large insurance reduction the report lists a CRC net cost of $275,631.70 and notes that, if insurance proceeds exceed project cost, the district could withdraw the project from FEMA funding to remove future operation-and-maintenance requirements. Rostan's materials similarly flagged adjustments for projects including Stewart Street/Greensboro (#77059), Chattahoochee/Warehouse/Greensboro (#77055), Carter Parramore (#103015) and Shanks Middle School (#103021).
Board member Stacey S. Hannigon asked whether approving work now would be premature: "At what juncture after the Board approve one of the projects for completion at the end of the month, do the Board move on these projects now or wait until we hear from the federal government before making a move?" Mrs. Bruner and Rostan responded that amendments and any project changes require written requests coordinated with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and that the district can begin procurement and stop the process later if federal guidance changes.
"All of the projects are obligatory," Mr. Jeremy Landry said, adding that "the funding has been allocated" and that reimbursements hinge on aligning amendments and submitting required documentation. Landry cautioned that "there will not be any reimburse unless the program is not followed properly."
Superintendent Elijah Key framed the district's practical limits: "There is somewhere between $11 to $13 million dollars," he said, noting the district would need to front costs and be reimbursed later and that the district does not presently have the full $13 million on hand. Key also said some work could be prioritized to keep the gym project funded while reducing other scope items.
Rostan's packet offered two consistent options across several projects: (1) complete projects as written, including HMP SOWs, and proceed with bidding and procurement; or (2) request amendments to remove HMP SOWs and reallocate funds toward prioritized repairs such as gyms or cafeterias. For some projects the packet showed that aligning FEMA's anticipated insurance reduction to validated insurance payments would materially lower local obligations; for others, validated insurance payments exceeded FEMA's anticipated reductions and prompted recommendations to withdraw DIs from funding.
The board was assigned specific follow-up tasks. The consultant and district staff listed action items including: GDS (district) providing documentation regarding potential duplication of benefits (for example, overlap with Restart Grant funds); Rostan drafting amendment requests and completing FEMA's Contracted Work Summary (CWS) forms; and both parties compiling procurement, invoices and proofs of payment for submission to FDEM/FEMA for validation or payment release.
Chairman Leroy McMillan said the board will receive a formal agenda item on the options presented and underscored the need for clear information before any formal vote. "The Board is depending on Mr. Joshua Bennett to get us good sound information," McMillan said.
The workshop also included brief community and administrative items: Superintendent Key said staff is collecting survey data for James Shanks Middle School and announced a public celebration and board proclamation for Crossroad Academy Charter School's state-champion boys' basketball team on March 13. McMillan said a proposed sale of a property in Greensboro will appear on the next board meeting agenda and noted proceeds are intended for the Future Farmers of America chapter at Gadsden County High School.
No formal motions or votes on FEMA project amendments were taken at the workshop; staff and Rostan will return to the board with formal agenda items and supporting documentation for any decision.
What's next: district staff and Rostan will compile procurement and insurance documentation and present recommended amendments or agenda items for board action at a future meeting; the district also plans a K–8 community meeting on April 15 at George W. Monroe Elementary School.
