KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The locker rooms at Tullahoma High School will be getting some modifications and upgrades following the approval of the Tullahoma City Schools (TCS) Board of Education.

In its May 28 meeting, the TCS school board were presented the item of the locker room upgrades for discussion and approval. The item was first mentioned to the board by board member Teresa Lawson during her Building and Grounds Report, where she would state that the old bleachers at the high school gymnasium had been removed, and the new gym flooring will begin in early June. She said both projects should be complete school starts in late July. 

Lawson went over the locker room project briefly the school board, and said the project had been discussed by the Building and Grounds Committee for several months.

“We recommend moving forward with the bid,” Lawson said. “If approved this work could begin when school is out and last until the end of September.”

According to Finance Director Hank Jordan, the locker rooms used for Girl’s PE, volleyball and girls’ basketball were in need of modifications and upgrades due to their current layouts, functionality and general conditions. 

“These modifications and upgrades include reconfiguring the layouts and making additions and modifications to the plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems in these locker rooms,” Jordan said.

Jordan said with the guidance from OLG Engineering, specifications and plans were drawn, a project manual was created, an invitation to bid was distributed to the public in early April, and a pre-bid meeting was held on April 16 for interested parties. He added one sealed bid was received on the deadline date of April 30. The bid was from C&H Commercial Contractors, Inc., in Manchester, for $745,600.

The bid package was reviewed by OLG Engineering and was recommended for acceptance.

“After discussions with both the Building and Grounds and Finance committees, staff is also recommending accepting the C&H Commercial Contractor’s bid in the amount of $745,600,” Jordan said.

Jordan also informed the board the project was not in the initial 23/24 FY budget. However, through the month of April they have been fortunate to have excess revenues vs expenses, and the project would be paid from the excess revenue.

When opened to discussion, board member Pat Welsh said the discussion of upgrading the locker room has been going on for years, adding that the project has been of particular interest of Lawson’s for some time.

“It was an area that you didn’t want anyone in the public to see, and in just a few months you want everybody in the public to see,” Welsh said. “It is a tremendous difference.”

Board member Andy Whitt said from a financial standpoint, the Finance Committee has been watching closely was how the reserves were doing and keeping an eye on revenues so the budget stays balanced. Lawson added the modifications will put the locker rooms with ADA compliance. 

“There’s lots of reasons to do this,” Lawson said. “(It’s) way overdue.”

With no further discussion, the school board would unanimously approve of the bid.