Colman-Egan board votes 3–2 to pursue predesign work for athletic complex

The Colman-Egan School District board voted 3–2 to proceed with predesign work for a proposed athletic complex after a public hearing that produced sharply divided views from residents.

Superintendent Scott summarized the survey results shared with the board before the meeting — “56 were yes, 30% no, 14 undecided” — and recommended the board approve only ISG’s predesign phase (quoted figure: $39,500) to get concrete cost estimates. The motion to “consider moving forward with the athletic complex” passed on a 3–2 roll call. “I would ask for a motion to approve just the predesign, not the full contract for ISG,” Scott said during the discussion.

Board members also approved an action to advertise for a construction manager at risk, a procurement approach Scott said helps local contractors compete. Scott described the full ISG proposal as $386,000 but recommended limiting approval to the predesign so the district could refine cost estimates before committing to a full contract. The predesign approval and the plan to advertise for a construction manager both passed 3–2.

The board’s next formal decision point on related contracts — including any purchase agreement for land referenced in the hearing — is scheduled for the next regular meeting. The district also noted that leftover bond proceeds may be placed in escrow to offset taxes until early 2032, a financing detail cited by the superintendent to explain tax impacts.