School board approves greenhouse construction to spend down ISM grant

The Henderson County School Board voted to approve the construction of new greenhouses at Lexington High School to spend down remaining funds from a state Innovative School Models (ISM) grant.

Mister Beauchamp, the district'level presenter, told the board that principals and leadership teams selected a site "between the tennis courts and the teacher's parking lot at Lexington High School" and said the project is new construction that requires board approval under district policy. "We are in the final year of the spend down on the ISM grant," he said, and urged the board to authorize the location and scope so the district can meet the grant deadline.

The board moved to adopt the location and scope as presented. Chair called for a roll call; the Chair read each member's vote and announced the motion carries after all members voted in favor.

During public comment, Tim Ford asked about the grant amount and whether bids have been solicited. Mister Beauchamp deferred finance questions to the finance director. A staff speaker identified as Megan Vineyard stated the grant is a state'based Innovative School Models grant and, as recorded in the meeting, said "Each household has been allocated 275,000." She also said the district has not finalized bids and that bid approvals will follow board authorization.

The vote authorized the site and scope so staff can proceed with procurement and scheduling to meet the grant spend'down timeline; the district did not provide a procurement schedule or a contractor list at the meeting.

The board did not amend the motion and provided a roll'call affirmation to proceed. Next administrative steps described by staff include developing bid documents and returning to the board for contract approval as required.