Myth Busting Building 8
When Building Programs span several years and are complicated with extenuating circumstances, such as the Building 8 renovation and restoration proposal, myths often blur the facts, as the public struggles to keep up with the political position.
Currently, the Building 8 renovation and restoration is awaiting the bid process. Last week the Department of Education requested funding in the amount of $2, 452, 844 of a $3,823,354 total price tag for the project. Contributions from insurance proceeds in the amount of $796,510-available funds of $183,183-reductions from original obligations of $301,475 combined to leave a funding need of $2,452,844 and that was the amount requested by the School Board.
Jefferson County Schools Director of Business Affairs Phagan informed the County Commission that, in moving funds to accommodate the School Board’s requested amount for Building 8, a deficit of $90,342 was created in the renovation funds of Jefferson County High School proper. To address that deficit, the County Commission approved including $145,000 for previously approved bond appropriations in any future bond sale.
Twelve of nineteen County Commissioners in attendance at the most recent County Commission meeting openly expressed their commitment to the restoration and renovation of Building 8 and the general census was one of genuine concern for CTE students and teachers, however there was concern among the group that the numbers presented had not gone through the usual bid process and were, instead, coming as a change order. All nineteen of the County Commissioners in attendance voted to send the request back to the School Board for two additional bids. They did not request that the School Board change construction managers. They did, however, unanimously decide to hold a special called meeting as soon as the School Board reviewed the bids to speed up the process. The project construction manager has informed the School Board that they will have bids back by December 18th and the School Board will meet on December 30th to discuss those bids. Chairman of the County Commission, Jim Carmichael, has stated that the County Commission will meet as soon as the School Board has reviewed the bids.
As far as the widely reported time frame for the work on Building 8 is concerned, Phagan has projected that the work, under the new time frame, should be completed in the early to mid spring, which is well before the mid summer drop date for insurance purposes. Though recent votes point to the entire County Commission’s commitment to the Building 8 project, funding issues will still have to be addressed. The current Director of Jefferson County Finance Helton is pushing for bonds for the Building 8 project and the $5 million dollar cash contribution to the renovation of Jefferson County High School proper, which was a part of the $25 million dollar renovation package approved by the previous County Commission. Of those $5million dollars, $1,010,000 is to come from the School System fund balance and is currently reserved for that use. Should the County Commission take out the full $5 million in bonds, plus the cost of renovation of Building 8, Helton has suggested an $8 million dollar bond. It is unclear if the $1,010,000 that is being held in reserve by the School Board for the project will simply be released into the School’s fund balance, which some believe will answer the need for any additional cushion on Building Projects. What is clear is that, should bonds be issued, they will include $145,000 that will pull the JCHS proper renovation out of the red.
Simply put, it is myth that any Commission has been openly unsupportive of the Building 8 renovation and restoration. It is a myth that the School Board knew of insurance deadlines well before they took action. It is a myth that either body has tried to pad or derail the funding of the Building 8 project. It is a fact that the County Commission requested two more bids to insure that the tax payers are getting the best price for their money and it is a fact that the School Board has put the project out to bid. Both governing bodies have made it clear, in official meeting minutes, that this project has unilateral support and, though it may be historically unusual, in this instance it is a fact.
