Carroll County Board adopts FY2027 budget, approves Temple High and five-site practice-facility package

The Carroll County Board of Education adopted the district's FY2027 budget and approved multiple capital projects at its June meeting.

Superintendent Scott Cowart presented the budget package, telling the board that "this budget includes for the general fund an overall 4% increase. It is a balanced budget." Finance staff outlined estimated governmental fund totals of about $272,900,000 in revenues and $298,300,000 in expenditures and a proposed general fund of roughly $213,500,000. Cowart said the increase is driven primarily by employee benefit costs, step raises and targeted investments in literacy, mental-health grants, school resource officers and one-time furniture, technology and facility items.

After questions about staffing and cost-sharing for school resource officers, the board moved and approved the FY2027 budget by voice/hand vote; the chair stated the approval was unanimous.

The board also approved an award for Temple High School. Cowart said J and R Construction submitted the lowest construction price and the highest bid score; the construction price was reported at about $11.6 million and, including furniture, equipment and a post-bid allowance, the package totaled roughly $12.09 million, about $1.3 million under the district's earlier projection. Board members asked whether portables would be needed and were told they are not; staff estimated a 13- to 14-month construction schedule with the new school opening the following August.

Cowart then presented a five-site covered practice facilities package for all five high schools. He said sub-bids and construction-manager percentages came to about $27,988,000 with a guaranteed-maximum price near $29.0 million, and that the package came in substantially higher than earlier estimates. Staff attributed the increase to higher-than-expected costs for steel, concrete and low-voltage electrical work across multiple sites. Miss Wolfe told the board that bond proceeds and PAYGO projections make the financing feasible: "the bond proceeds are available to cover the cost as presented," she said, while noting timing differences between PAYGO tranches.

Motions to award the Temple High School contract and to approve the five-site covered practice facilities package were moved, seconded and approved by unanimous voice/hand votes.

The board also approved routine personnel actions and accepted an intellectual property transfer and license agreement as presented. The meeting concluded after board member remarks honoring Superintendent Scott Cowart's 16 years of service.

Votes at a glance - FY2027 budget: Approved (unanimous). - Temple High School contract (award to J and R Construction as presented): Approved (unanimous). - Covered practice facilities five-site package (guaranteed maximum price as presented): Approved (unanimous). - Personnel actions: Approved (unanimous). - Intellectual property transfer and license agreement: Approved (unanimous).

Next steps: staff will manage contract execution, verify cash-flow timing for PAYGO flows, and circulate kickoff and construction schedules to the board.