Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lewis County Board of Education board meeting room located at 206 South Court Street, Hohenwald, Tn. Board members present were Vice Chair Paula Dyer, Matthew Adkins, Glenda Atkinson, Derek Cotham, Cassie Couch, Jackie Holt, Cody Mitchell, and Sallie Pollock. Chair Lindsey Himes joined the meeting via Facebook. A workshop was held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regular scheduled meeting. During the workshop newly appointed board member, Matthew Adkins, was sworn into his position by the Lewis County General Sessions Judge Michael Hinson. Shannon Lane, LCMS Paraprofessional and Cross-Country Coach, approached the board about possibly getting a track and field team organized. After much discussion, Dr. McAbee explained to Ms. Lane that she needed to get more detailed information for the board and be placed at next month’s meeting.

The invocation was given by Mr. Mitchell. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Cotham.

Vice Chair Dyer informed the board that there are a total of 11 students that have signed up to be on the Student Advisory Committee. She stated that she recommended that all these students be approved. Board members agreed.

Upon motion by Mrs. .Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Mitchell, the consent agenda was unanimously approved

CONSENT AGENDA

• Approved previous minutes from the October 26, 2023, special called meeting.

• Adopted agenda.

• Approved payroll and miscellaneous warrants.

REGULAR AGENDA

Director’s report

• Transferred Julie James, Substitute teacher, to LCMS Sped paraprofessional effective October 17, 2023.

• Accepted the resignation of Regina Pac, LCHS cafeteria worker, effective November 3, 2023.

• Accepted the resignation of Karsynn Rowell, LCHS cafeteria worker, effective November 10, 2023.

• Accepted the resignation of Janna Harper, LCES Paraprofessional, effective November 10, 2023.

• Transferred Amelia Davis, Substitute teacher, to LCES Paraprofessional effective, November 3, 2023.

• Transferred Jenna Renfro, Substitute teacher, to Pre-K SPED Paraprofessional effective, November 3, 2023.

• Transferred Shannon Schmittou, LCES Secretary, to central office Finance/Bookkeeping Secretary effective November 8, 2023.

• Transferred Kelsey Grippi, Substitute teacher, to LCES Secretary effective November 3, 2023.

• Director McAbee stated that for the remainder of his time he would like to have Brad Martin and Gary Clardy to give their presentations about the new high school.

• Mr. Clardy explained to the board that bids were received on the construction of the new high school. There was a total of three bids received. He stated that the lowest bid was from Nabholz Construction. He stated that he has been working on this project for a year and that Brad Martin has been working on this project for two years or more. Mr. Clardy further stated that he was so glad that this project was finally coming to a creation and that he knew the school board was excited about this. He stated that he met last Tuesday with members of the Nabholz Construction company and that he would let Mr. Martin go into more details of that meeting. Mr. Clardy stated that the board members would find in their packet a copy of the new budget that he created today. He stated that he hoped that this budget would be passed tonight. Mr. Clardy stated that there will be a meeting with the Lewis County Commissioners on Monday night, November 20, 2023. He stated that the commissioners have already approved of a loan of $23,700.00 and this will leave a shortfall of $4.3 million that will have to be borrowed. He stated that Mayor Keltner has committed up to $28 million and this is reflected in the budget that the board has before them. Mr. Clardy stated that the Director of Schools and himself see no problem with the budget presented because it confirms the commitment of the commissioners and the school board’s commitment to the building of the new high school. Mr. Clardy turned the meeting over to Brad Martin, Lyle, Cook and Martin architects, at this time. Mr. Martin thanked the board for allowing him to represent them in this process. He wanted to thank Gary Clardy and his son Jesse Clardy for their hard work on this project as well. Mr. Martin stated that the bids that were received on the construction of the new high school were very tight bids. He stated that the highest bidder was Barger Construction in the amount of $40,126,427, next in line was RG Anderson in the amount of $39,170,00, and the lowest bidder was Nabholz Construction in the amount of $38,535,746. He stated that a lot of the same subcontractors were listed on the bids. Mr. Martin stated that he has never worked with the Nabholz Construction before. He stated that Nabholz Construction company was in seven states and one of their specialties is k-12 and they are based out of Arkansas. Mr. Martin stated that they did a zoom call with 5 of their representatives and just talked to them about their company. He stated that they are projecting a lot of talented people to work on this project. Mr. Martin stated that they were looking for reasons for maybe not hiring them and they could not do so. He stated that they also sent emails with several questions about the project. He further stated that he received a very professional answer to these questions. Mr. Martin stated that they could not find a reason to not hire the Nabhloz Construction for the construction of the high school. He stated that he also asked about further fees for this construction and Nabholze stated that there would not be additional fees. Mr. Martin stated that he would recommend Nabholz for this project. Director McAbee informed members that the new budget that was received today is in their packet and the informational packet about Nabholz Construction is also in their packet. Jesse Clardy informed the board members that the people that are listed on the informational packed from Nabholz Construction will be the people that are working on this project. Dr. McAbee further stated that Franklin Special Schools have used this construction team and was very happy with them. Ms. Couch pointed out that they have an office in Franklin, Tn. Mr. Martin stated that they did have a lot of questions about the USDA loan, and he was able to answer those questions for them. Mr. Mitchell questioned the possible start date. Mr. Clardy stated that the projected start date will be the first of 2024.Mr. Clardy stated that the contract must be completed, complete some requirements from USDA and schedule a groundbreaking ceremony including high school and middle school students. He further stated that Nabholz will help with the groundbreaking ceremony. Mr. Clardy stated that he wanted to thank Dr. McAbee and the for working with him during this project. He further stated that he could find no reason for the county commissioners to be disappointed with this recommendation.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS-There was no unfinished business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Ms. Couch, item a) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Submission of Compliance Report, certification of compliance with all Tennessee statutes and State Board of Education rules.

Upon motion by Mrs. Pollock and seconded by Mr. Adkins, item b) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Approve out of state travel for Lewis County Middle School’s Honors Club on May 16-18, 2024, to St. Louis, Missouri.

Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Ms. Couch, item c) under new business was unanimously approved. Vice Chair Dyer asked for a roll-call vote and made mention that the recommendation was Nabholz Construction. All voted yes.

• Approve construction bid for the new Lewis County High School.

Upon motion by Mrs. Atkinson and seconded by Mr. Cotham to vote on item d) under new business as a whole vote on the policies was unanimously approved.

Upon motion by Mr. Mitchell and seconded by Mrs. Pollock, item d) under new business was unanimously approved.

• Board Policies.

Announcements

Vice-Chair Dyer stated that Angie Leigh wanted to remind everyone about the Gaylord Opryland going cashless for the upcoming trip for the board members.

Dr McAbee reminded everyone that there will be a meeting with the Lewis County Commissioners on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the Lewis County Courthouse.

Dr. McAbee wanted to thank Gary and Jesse Clardy and Brad Martin for all their hard work on the new high school project.

Vice-Chair Dyer announced that the next regular scheduled meeting will be December 12, 2023. There will be a workshop prior to the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Mrs. Leigh reminded board members that there would be a Christmas dinner for board members following the meeting at Casa Grande.

Upon motion by Mrs. Pollock and seconded by Ms. Couch, the meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.