The Macon County Board of Commissioners announced earlier this week that they will be holding a special-called meeting on Friday, February 26th at 2 p.m.
At today’s meeting, the Board of Commissioners will be considering a postponement of the Macon Middle School renovation project. The special called meeting comes after Macon County Commissioners Gary Shields and Commissioner Josh Young spoke to members of the board of education on Monday regarding Young’s desire to temporarily halt the project to consider alternative options.
Young, who wants to ensure that “due diligence” is completed on the project told the board of education that while he is new to the board, he believes there may be options outside of the current MMS renovation plans that will not only address the MMS renovations but also address issues with other school facilities such as Franklin High School.
Discussion around the Macon Middle School project dates back to early 2019 when the wheels started to turn on desperately needed repairs at the school. An architectural firm was approved in October 2019.
After commissioners agreed the renovations needed at Macon Middle School were more extensive than what could be accomplished within the annual capital outlay budget the project was separated and bids were solicited to address structural needs.
The scope of work includes the addition of a 6,400 square foot locker room facility – which would be added to the facility’s existing 100,477 square footage. The work needing to be addressed includes roof repairs, wall assembly, cabinet and window replacements, interior finishes such as paint and restroom partitions, HVAC replacement, and plumbing updates.
In August 2020, Macon County Commissioners approved an additional $16,000 in project changes to the proposed plans to accommodate for technology needs at the school.
Earlier this month, Commissioners decided based on the county’s revenues being higher than anticipated after months of COVID19, that work on MMS will continue. Macon County was already approved for financing on the project, with the bonds for the project scheduled to be sold the first week in March.
Friday’s meeting will discuss halting that process while additional options are explored at the request of Commissioner Young, who was newly assigned to serve on the liaison committee to the school system.
The Macon County Board of Commissioners will be meeting at 2 pm today. The Board will meet at the Macon County Courthouse, located at 5 West Main Street in Downtown Franklin. The meeting will be live-streamed on the county website.
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