The LSB (Lakeland School Board) met in work session tonight (2.3.19) at City Hall and Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell said it’s possible a new high school could open to 9th graders for the 2021-22 school year.
During a discussion on updated construction costs and timeline estimates, Dr. Horrell said if funds are allocated by the City of Lakeland in 60 to 90 days, it’s possible the 8th graders at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) could stay in the Lakeland School System (LSS) as they enter 9th grade in August 2021.
School Board members also reviewed the cost history of trying to build a high school in Lakeland since 2015 as well as spoke of the academic offerings at a new campus.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3KiNsuJHvHPqzd1B9
The evening began with dinner for School Board members and families as well as recognition by LSS students for School Board Appreciation Week.
Link to agenda: https://lakelandk12.org/res/web/02.04.19%20WS/02.04.19%20Work%20Session%20Agenda.pdf
Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8552721
Dr. Horrell estimates the high school will cost close to $40 million and said it is most likely 9th graders would start at the new school in August 2022.
“If we get funds in 60 to 90 days, it’s possible we could open in August 2021 to 9th graders,” he said. “We would have to have the funds allocated and in hand,” he said, to have a chance at meeting that goal.
Currently Lakeland high school students attend Arlington High School through an interlocal agreement between the two school systems. Lakeland serves grades PK-8 on two campuses. A high school serving grades 9-12 would be constructed behind LMPS.
He said he has been working with Renaissance Group, A2H, Chris Woods Construction and Southern Educational Strategies to update costs to finish Lakeland Prep (the high school within Lakeland). He said the $40 million represents things they would like to do for a full build out. He has sent his numbers and figures to Lakeland City staff for a presentation at the BOC (Board of Commissioners) meeting Thursday night (2.7.19).
The estimated size of the high school, he said would be about 174,840 square feet and would include regular classrooms, special education classrooms, fine arts, gym, auditorium and a food court.
The estimated $40 million costs also include some extras beyond what is absolutely necessary, said Dr. Horrell, like a field house, concessions, restrooms, baseball and soccer locker rooms, training rooms and a lighted field for softball and baseball. He also mentioned combined bleacher seating for 2,500, an eight-lane running track, additional parking, an additional practice field and a loop road to U.S. Highway 70.
Of utmost importance, he said, is that the start date has to hit in August. “You either hit August or you don’t,” he said. “October 2021 doesn’t work.”
He said, “It is possible for August 2021 if we get the money fairly soon, but August 2022 is more realistic.”
Board Member Deborah Thomas asked about seating capacity of the new auditorium and gym. Dr. Horrell said the auditorium would seat 800, gym, 2,000.
Of the loop road to the Highway, he said it is ambiguous about the requirement of that road. It would be up to Lakeland and TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation). He said there might be some “give” with Lakeland but likely not with TDOT if the road is required.
Board Member Teresa Henry asked Dr. Horrell about Mayor Mike Cunningham suggesting LSS provide upfront money for design and construction documents now without approving funds to build the school.
Some background for perspective
In 2014 there was a plan to build a middle and high school campus at the current Lakeland Middle Preparatory School. Funding for the combined schools was voted down in a 2015 bon referendum. The middle school was subsequently financed through a Capital Outlay Note (CON) and opened in August 2017.
At the Jan. 14th Lakeland School Board meeting, Dr. Horrell said it is feasible that LSS could afford to pay the City $700K for four years — a total of $2.8 million, out of its accrued fund balance. The Board discussed that option but has not voted.
During a special called meeting Jan. 17th in packed City Hall chambers, the BOC met to discuss three items, including funding for a high school in Lakeland.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman presented slides showing several options to get to high school construction and completion immediately.
At that same meeting, Mayor Mike Cunningham said he would put a stake in the ground to open a high school in August 2022. He acknowledged if revenue goes well, the school could open perhaps in August of 2021.
He also recommended that the $700K which could be offered to the City by LSS be utilized now for such things as architecture and design plans until it is time to borrow the rest of the money and break ground.
Back to tonight’s discussion on school funding/timeline
Dr. Horrell said he could not recommend the Board spend that money for design and construction documents on the chance the rest of the high school is not delivered. “We would end up with a $250K set of plans which would be great to look at but not used. I cannot recommend this.”
Mrs. Henry said she believed Mr. Cunningham is a man of his word but Boards can change. If the funding is not secured, she said, it doesn’t help with capital improvements to have spent the money on planning for a school. “It’s not prudent without a guarantee of the funds,” she said.
Board member Geoff Hicks acknowledged Dr. Jim Mitchel’s (Southern Educational Strategies) expertise in building about 40 schools in Shelby County as well as Dr. Horrell’s proficiency with the LMPS build, athletic fields and the expansion at LES (Lakeland Elementary School).
He couched this competence in reviewing the costs to try and build a high school for the last four years.
- 2015 – $28 million to add a high school
- 2017 – $34 million to add a high school
- 2019 – Up to $40 million to add a high school
“That’s $12 million in the last four years,” he said. “The City revenue has not increased that rapidly.”
Mrs. Thomas asked if the next step toward a high school would be to update plans and tweak designs. Dr. Horrell said the earlier process only made it to schematic designs. The full blown construction documents were never done. She added that at least the process would not be starting from scratch.
Mr. Hicks noted that with the Mayor wanting to wait on the construction, simple math says that doing so costs $6 million every two years. He asked Dr. Horrell what the wait does to the cost. “It continues to rise,” said Dr. Horrell.
Chair Kevin Floyd said the City is talking about $35 million for a high school. “If the City moves forward with that amount, would you be comfortable with it,” he asked of Dr. Horrell.
“Yes,” he said, adding, “If you said $30 million, I would have a hard time with that. But I am comfortable at $35 (million). I would prefer $40 (million) to do all the cool things. It might mean we would have to phase in some of the amenities. For example, soccer and baseball. But we can’t change the footprint of the auditorium, for example.” He said examples of areas to cut would be phased in later, if necessary.
Dr. Horrell explained LSS could “value engineer” the project removing some items but it will cost more to add them down the road.
Mr. Floyd noted, however, that with a new high school, Lakeland would get their high school students back in the community and have more capital money.
Mrs. Thomas asked about programming, offerings and courses.
Dr. Horrell said he has plenty to worry about but he is not concerned with the rigorous, diverse programs of study at a new high school. He said Lakeland would be smaller than other high schools in Shelby County but he would expect efficiency in a two-school system with 2,200-2,400 students in PK-12.
Mrs. Henry said there are already high school courses taught at LMPS, there are 28 AP syllabi ready and dual enrollment has been investigated. “Just like at the middle school, we will talk to students and find out their interests,” said Mrs. Henry. She noted there are many sports and clubs offered at LMPS since it first opened, based on interests of the students.
Mr. Hicks said he hears repeatedly that a high school in Lakeland won’t offer what other Shelby County schools offer. “We will have a fantastic academic program and it doesn’t have to be 2,000 students.”
The Board closed the school funding/timeline discussion until more information is available.
More on the agenda from tonight
The meeting started as School Board Appreciation Night with a buffet dinner for LSB members and their families and presentations by LES and LMPS students.
Lou Ann Vaught, LES APEX teacher, facilitated nine children who came to the meeting. Also on hand were LES Principal Joretha Lockhart and LMPS Principal Matt Adler.
From LMPS
Carly Brock, Davis Hardee, Jeannie Slappey, Jackson Manthe and Kylynn McGuire
From LES
Elizabeth Foster, Mark Foster, Kate Sheridan and Liam Sheridan
Mr. Floyd said it’s an honor and pleasure to serve.
Superintendent’s report
- Dr. Horrell said he appreciated Steve McCain at LES for painting the portables over the weekend. “We are not out of space. The portables looked really bad,” said Dr. Horrell, noting the portables will NOT be used for classroom space.
- Foundations have been poured for the LES classroom expansion.
- And LES presents “Lions King Kids” Friday and Saturday with Mr. Adler’s son in the lead.
School Board members were in agreement that $440,000 could be spent from the fund balance to add bleachers to the LMPS football field. It will be just under 1,000 seats on the far side of the field. The bleachers will include a press box and sound system. When a high school is completed, the bleachers will become visitor bleachers and about 1,500 seats will be added to the other side of the field for the home team. This item went to the consent agenda.
Dr. Horrell said the 2019-20 instructional calendar must be revised to make President’s Day a professional development day for teachers and remain a holiday for students. The upside of that change is that teachers would report to school a day later at the beginning of the school year. This was an oversight by municipal school systems in Arlington, Bartlett and Lakeland.
Alternative branding marks for Lakeland Lions were presented by Dr. Horrell. He said this was for consistency in the application of the logo. He worked with Marketvex, he said, and is pleased with the branding.
Mr. Hicks reviewed the legislative agenda which Board members will present at “Day on the Hill” this month in Nashville. He recommended keeping it to one page. He recommended a stand-alone document to legislators, noting LSS is against vouchers for private schools. He said sending this takes away money from public schools and he suggested solidarity on the issue with other school systems in the State.
There is no agreed date for a joint BOC/LSB retreat, so the matter was tabled until there is a proposed date.
The School Start Times Committee is expected to be named at the Feb. 11th LSB meeting.
… Dinner photos courtesy of Kristin Hicks
… Other photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
