Board approves MBI redesign to downscale intermediate/middle school project to cash-on-hand plan

The Lenoir City Schools board on April 9 approved an additional services agreement with MBI to redesign the planned intermediate/middle school addition so the district can fund construction from available cash instead of issuing a bond.

Erin Harlow of MBI told the board the revised scope concentrates on three classroom additions and a gym with associated lobbies and locker-room space. “The additional services agreement that’s in front of you is services to redesign the intermediate middle school to reduce the scope for the cash on hand that you guys have that would not require getting a bond issuance in order to pay for the project,” Harlow said. MBI plans to retain as much of the original design as possible so future expansion would fit with the new work.

Harlow said the gym design would seat about 600 and that the team moved the bus drop and consolidated driveways to reduce costly site work. She told the board that the project team expects to issue pricing packages to the contractor on April 28, receive contractor pricing in early June, and submit stamped permit documents on May 5. Harlow added permitting typically takes 45–60 days and the team is targeting a July groundbreaking if schedules and pricing align.

The presentation included a budget sensitivity: Harlow said the team believes it can avoid a bond if it “can shave about $700,000 out of the site work.” She described reworked electrical and HVAC routing required by the smaller scope and emphasized the team’s intent to use the same brick, window patterning and finishes so additions appear cohesive with the existing building.

Board members pressed for detail about the driveway and site grading. The chair asked whether the driveway location had changed; Harlow confirmed the driveway will be moved to a flatter side of the site to avoid significant excavation and fill that would have added major cost.

Miss Murray moved to approve the additional services agreement; Mister Ledbetter seconded. The board approved the motion on roll call.

Next steps: the design team will finalize pricing packages by April 28, submit permit documents May 5 and expect contractor pricing back in early June. The district and contractor will review pricing and permitting results before confirming a July ground-breaking date.