Board approves LED, construction contract award, and $4.61M property purchase following executive session

After an executive session on Oct. 7 the Beaufort County Board of Education approved several formal actions: personnel ratifications, authorization to award an LED lighting services contract, a construction amendment for Phase 6A, and authorization to purchase property in southern Beaufort County.

Personnel ratifications: The board approved the superintendent’s personnel ratification report covering 09/01/2025–09/30/2025. The motion carried on a roll call with one no vote recorded.

LED lighting contract (RFP 26Tax004): The board authorized the superintendent to issue an award for RFP 26Tax004 and to execute a contract upon expiration of the protest period. A subsequent motion named Energy Harness Corporation as the proposed contractor; board members asked clarifying questions about the scope (the replacement applies to district lighting) and contract term (three years). The vote carried with at least one no vote recorded and one abstention noted during the initial authorization.

Construction Amendment No. 110: The board approved Amendment No. 110 with Thompson Turner Construction Inc. for Phase 6A renovations to the District Educational Services Center. The guaranteed maximum price shown in the motion was $1,209,963, financed using specified percent funds; the motion carried with one recorded no vote.

Property purchase: The board authorized the superintendent to purchase a property in southern Beaufort County using proceeds from prior land sales and FY24 capital fund transfer funds totaling $4,610,000. One member said they would abstain; the motion passed.

Why it matters: These actions commit district capital and operating decisions that will affect facilities, energy costs and the capital program. The LED project and the Phase 6A renovations are district-wide infrastructure investments; the property purchase uses prior land-sale proceeds and capital funds.

Attribution and votes: Motions were presented by board leadership (speaker 1 read the motions) and seconded by board members (including Dr. Carr and Mr. Small). Roll-call votes were recorded for each motion; transcript shows individual aye/nay/abstain calls for in-room and online participants.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with contract closeout steps after the protest period for the LED award and with the execution of construction amendment documents. The superintendent and district staff will complete required administrative follow-ups and contract execution.

Ending: The board logged these actions as the executive session business concluded and returned to open session to continue the public meeting.