VIDEO: Fort Payne BOE approves $37 million Capital Improvement Plan

VIDEO: Fort Payne BOE approves $37 million Capital Improvement Plan

PHOTO: The Fort Payne Superintendent Jim Cunningham discusses the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan with the board. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor 

tyler@southerntorch.com 

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — At Thursday's meeting of the Fort Payne Board of Education, the board approved a five year improvement plan for the city's schools totaling over $37 million. This includes a new Elementary School for Grades 3rd - 5th, a large expansion of Fort Payne High School, and a construction education facility.

"We had our capital planning committee meeting, it was a very good meeting. You have the list of the capital plan in front of you for this school year. We're going to be putting in for the big items, knowing that we're putting them up front, and we probably won't be starting tomorrow, but the plan is we move this direction," said Superintendent Jim Cunningham.

Cunningham then listed off the big items: "a grades 3-5 elementary school, additions to Fort Payne High School (which includes) put(ting) in a 2nd and 3rd Building Gymnasium, Fine Arts, Drama, add a sound studio, add a Cyber Security classroom, and add a Lecture Hall for approximately 45-60 Students," said Cunningham.

"Those two tickets, and we've talked about this previously, is about a $30 million ticket. The third item for this year we're looking at a construction facility, that would teach students during the day and possibly we hope will be citizens for night classes, in the areas of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, dry-wall; any construction type job," explained Cunningham.

"Moving on down, we always have HVAC upgrades system-wide, painting system-wide, classroom furniture replacement system-wide, paving repair and we did not do that this year, so we really have to concentrate on paving repair next year. Field house renovations, expansions; we should be submitting a bid for that within the next month. Tennis courts, and again we have been talking to the city. Now that the city has moved forward with the one cent sales tax, we have to make sure we are coinciding with their plans and make sure we're not spending the money twice. And we're going to do that," he said.

"Gutter and stucco repair system-wide. LED Lighting at Williams Avenue, what we're doing there is 3rd and 4th grade, unit 4, and some other education facility; we can save a lot of money by going to LED lighting, like we've done in here and the High School, and next is Wills Valley," Cunningham Explained.

"Upgrade security surveillance, again and that's a big one. Moving toward Wills Valley, Williams Avenue, and the Middle School up very similar to the high school, with their surveillance capability. Heating and Cooling of the weight rooms, locker rooms, and coaches offices; that would make our gymnasium totally HVAC rather than having the worn-out system we have now. Asbestos Abatement and re-tiling floors at the high school; this just continues the plan, and you'll see that in '18, '19, '20, and '21; we're just going to continue that until we're out of the asbestos business. One of the maintenance items here would be adding a new tractor and bush hog to the maintenance department," stated Cunningham.

"Then the it starts in to the following years, and I won't go through everything; because it's a long list. It's very aggressive for 17-18, you're going to total this up, and go, 'you can't get it all done.' We know we can't; every year we know we can't, but we will tackle this as fast as we can. And we will do it in order, but sometimes even though we have an order 1 thru 39, opportunities allow us to touch number 17 and we'll move to it, when those opportunities jump up. But we do have a good five year plan, and as you are aware, these plans are made each year. So we can look back and say, 'what did we do?'" said Cunningham.

Also in the plan, but not mentioned, is turf at the football stadium to be completed by year 2020-2021, as well as other upgrades to the stadium and "baseball and softball" seating. In 2019-2020, the board also hopes to add Driver Education Simulators. The improvement plan was then approved with no votes against.

After the vote, Board of Education President Jimmy Durham said: "And I'd just like to say one thing also real quick, hopefully with the sales tax and working with the city government; both groups are going to be able to better utilize our funds, and build things that will benefit both parties. I think it's a great thing, and so far I haven't heard a single person that is upset over the sales tax. Which I think is amazing, but I think people realize things have to be paid for eventually, I think we're lucky and I think we have a great city council to work with. And we'll be able to work with them, and they with us, and we'll be able to get some things done."

The new sales tax will take affect on October 1 of this year, as pointed out by City Attorney Rocky Watson after vote. Watson also stated that, "we won't see anything out of that until after November (2017)."

The next meeting of the Fort Payne Board of Education will be held on September 28, 2017 in the Central Office at 6 pm.

Video of the Meeting (Full Capitol Improvement Plan along with resignations, transfers, and appointments below):

Capital Plan for 2017-2018 (Date of Completion/Expected Completion Date): 

-1.  Grade 3-5 New Elementary School $18,000,000.00 (2017-2018)

-2. Additions to Fort Payne High School: Connect 2nd and 3rd Building Gymnasium, Fine Arts Drama, Sound Studio, Cyber Security, Lecture Hall $12,000,000 (2017-2018)

-3. Construction Facility $1,000,000.00 (2017-2018)

-4. HVAC Upgrades $125,000.00 (2017-2018)

-5. Painting $50,000.00 (2017-2018)

-6. Classroom Furniture $50,000.00 (2017-2018)

-7. Paving Repair $200,000.00 (2017-2018)

-8. Field House Renovation and Expansion $1,100,000.00 (2017-2018)

-9. Tennis Courts $400,000.00 (2017-2018)

-10. Gutter and Stucco Repair $50,000.00 (2017-2018)

-11. LED Lighting $40,000.00 (2017-2018)

-12. Upgrade Security Surveillance $250,000.00 (2017-2018)

-13. Heating and cooling of Locker rooms, Weight room, and Coaches Offices at Fort Payne High School. $120,000.00 (2017-2018)

-14. Asbestos Abatement and Re-tiling Floors $50,000.00 (2017-2018)

-15. Tractor and Bush hog $68,000.00 (2017-2018)

-16. Parking lot at Fort Payne Middle School $100,000.00 (2018-2019)

-17. Painting $50,000.00 (2018-2019)

-18. HVAC Upgrades $125,000.00 (2018-2019)

-19. Classroom Furniture $50,000.00 (2018-2019)

-20. Asbestos Abatement and Re-tiling Floors $50,000.00 (2018-2019)

-21. Driver Education Simulators at Fort Payne High School $100,000.00 (2019-2020)

-22. Parking lot at Will's Valley Elementary $100,000.00 (2019-2020)

-23. Painting $50,000.00 (2019-2020)

-24. HVAC Upgrades $125,000.00 (2019-2020)

-25. Classroom Furniture $50,000.00 (2019-2020)

-26. Asbestos Abatement and Re-tiling Floors $50,000.00 (2019-2020)

-27. Turf Stadium at Fort Payne High School $900,000.00 (2020-2021)

-28. Baseball and Softball Seating at Fort Payne High School $200,000.00 (2020-2021)

-29. Parking lot at Fort Payne High School $100,000.00 (2020-2021)

-30. Painting $100,000.00 (2020-2021)

-31. HVAC Upgrades $125,000.00 (2020-2021)

-32. Classroom Furniture $50,000.00 (2020-2021)

-33. Asbestos Abatement and Re-tiling Floors $50,000.00 (2020-2021)

-34. Stadium Upgrades at Fort Payne High School $1,000,000.00 (2021-2022)

-35. Parking Lot at Wills Valley Elementary $100,000.00 (2021-2022)

-36. Painting $50,000.00 (2021-2022)

-37. HVAC Upgrades $125,000.00 (2021-2022)

-38. Classroom Furniture $50,000.00 (2021-2022)

-39. Asbestos Abatement and Retiling Floors $50,000.00 (2021-2022)

Total Cost of Improvement Plan (2017-2022): $37,203,000.00

Resignations: 

  • Accept resignation of Luis Segura Hildago, as a Junior High Math Teacher, at Fort Payne Middle School, effective July 27, 2017, as submitted
  • Accept the resignation of Tiffany Saint, as Varsity Assistant and Junior Varsity Assistant Softball Coach, effective July 31, 2017, as submitted.
  • Accept the resignation of Heather Williams, Custodian at Wills Valley Elementary School, effective August 22, 2017, as submitted.
  • Accept the resignation of William Ott, Mechanic Assistant, effective August 30, 2017, as submitted.

Leaves: 

  • Approve a request from Kelly Chapman, 3rd Grade Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School, for Maternity Leave, effective November 3, 2017, through January 1, 2018, as submitted.
  • Approve a request from Tonya Lilly, 3rd Grade Teacher at Williams Avenue Elementary School, for Maternity Leave, effective January 12, 2018, through March 30, 2018, as submitted.

Transfers: 

  • Approve the transfer of Missy Stephens, from a 6th Grade Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School, to a Junior High Math Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School, to a Junior High Math Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve the transfer of Marcia Kerns, from Instructional Aide at Fort Payne Middle School, to Library Aide at Fort Payne Middle School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve the transfer of Beverly Sutton, from System-Wide Special Education Aide to Half-time Library Aide at Williams Avenue Elementary School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.

Appointments: 

  • Approve Tyler Gray, as Fall Percussion Instructor at Fort Payne High School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve Alex Jacobs, as Winterguard Instructor at Fort Payne High School, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve Lisa Powell, as Assistant Cross Country Coach, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve Michael Banks, as Junior High Girls Volleyball Coach, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve Kyle Crabtree, as 9th Grade Football Coach, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
  • Approve Ashley Elliot Cole, as Assistant Varsity Girls/Junior Varsity Girls Soccer Coach, effective for the 2017-2018, school year, as submitted.
  • Approve the following as non-faculty volunteer coaching assistants, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted:
    • David Jackson, Junior High Volleyball
    • Eddy Bolton, Junior Varsity Soccer
  • Approve Terrell Davis, as Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Teacher, at Fort Payne High School, effective August 1, 2017, and non-renew his contract on May 25, 2018, as submitted.
  • Approve Ethyn Holbrook, as a System-Wide Special Education Aide, effective August 1, 2017, and non-renew his contract on May 25, 2018, as submitted.
  • Approve Haley Walker, as a 6th Grade Teacher at Fort Payne Middle School, effective August 1, 2017, and non-renew her contract on May 25, 2018 as submitted.
  • Approve Kimberly Presley, as a System-Wide Special Education Aide, effective August 9, 2017, and non-renew her contract on May 25, 2018, as submitted.
  • Approve Michael T. Casey, as a Custodian at Wills Valley Elementary School, effective August 25, 2017, and non-renew his contract on June 30, 2018, as submitted.
  • Approve additions to the Extended Day Program Staff, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted.
    • Teacher (Shared Postion)
      • Karen Keeling
    • Extended Day Substitutes
      • Tammy Lacey
      • Kimberly Butler
  • Approve Dawn Langston, as Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters Parent Educator, effective for the 2017-2018 school year.
  • Approve Tony Myers, as a Mechanic's Assistant, effective August 30, 2017 and non-renew his contract on June 30, 2018 as submitted.
  • Other
    • Approve the additions to the following substitute personnel list, effective for the 2017-2018 school year, as submitted:
      • CNP
      • Custodian
      • Nurse
      • Teacher
      • Transportation