Cecil County board approves $1.083M fencing contract for new Northeast Middle High School and small budget amendments

The Board of Education of Cecil County on July 8 voted to award a $1,083,398 contract to CMJ Fence and Security LLC for fencing work associated with the new Northeast Middle High School, following a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Lawson that CMJ was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

"On behalf of the Capital LA department and the purchasing department, I recommend a contract for $1,083,398 to CMJ Fence and Security LLC who was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the new Northeast Middle High School replacement project," Dr. Lawson told the board. A motion to award the contract was moved and seconded and President Heath declared the motion carried.

The board also approved a small capital budget amendment. Ms. Denise Sopa explained the amendment arose because earlier projects came in under budget and allowed estates funds to be reallocated; the project in question required an additional $7,775. Sopa noted estates funds are intermittent and governed by holding-period constraints before being recognized. Dr. Lawson recommended approving the $7,775 amendment, which the board moved, seconded and approved.

Separately, Ms. Sopa presented a June operating budget amendment that increases revenue and expense by $92,741, including additions to restricted other revenue ($10,093) and state grants ($43,776) to support specific programs. The superintendent recommended approval and the board voted to approve the amendment.

Board members discussed bid packaging and the district's effort to value-engineer remaining work on the new school after initial landscaping RFPs produced no bidders; separating the fencing from landscaping produced responsive bidders for the stand-alone fencing contract. The board did not report detailed roll-call tallies during these motions; the meeting transcript records motions, second(s) and President Heath announcing "Motion carries."