Board reviews $7.9 million GMP for Empower career center; calendar and personnel actions scheduled or approved

Jackson County school officials presented a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $7,904,870 for renovations to the Empower College and Career Academy and discussed procurement choices for HVAC controls, while the board handled routine personnel and scheduling items.

Operations staff asked the board to consider approval of the GMP for the Empower college and career center project, describing work that includes a new automotive lab, HVAC, flooring and lighting in wings of the facility that have not been renovated previously. The GMP was reported at $7,904,870; staff said they had pursued value engineering and removed the HVAC control systems from the general contract to save about $120,000–$130,000 and associated fees. Those controls would be procured as a sole‑source purchase through Control Concepts Direct, staff said.

Operations staff characterized the project as progressing with design‑team oversight and noted prior approvals regarding construction management; no board vote on the GMP was recorded in the work session.

Separately, communications staff previewed the proposed 2026‑27 school calendar and asked the board to vote on it at the upcoming Monday regular meeting. The calendar presented includes a July 30 start, five staff development days at the start of the year, the customary Thanksgiving and winter breaks, and two post‑planning days at the end of the year.

Near the meeting’s end the chair requested a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel, real estate and litigation; the motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. After the executive session the board considered a personnel list: a motion to approve the personnel list was made from the floor, seconded and approved by voice vote (all "Aye"). The meeting adjourned following the personnel vote.

No contract awards or formal authorization for the GMP were recorded in the work session minutes; staff said they would bring the GMP for formal consideration. The HVAC controls vendor was described as a sole‑source selection in staff remarks, not a completed procurement action.