UCS selects construction management firm for CCA building and other projects

Board of Education, News, Panther's Corner
Charles Black Construction construction management firm

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In a called online board meeting on January 28, 2020, Union County School (UCS) board chose Charles Black Construction as the construction management team for upcoming projects.

Five firms responded to the construction professional services RFP with proposals. The construction committee presented Charles Black Construction as the recommended firm. Charles Black Construction previously assisted UCS with the field house renovation.

UCS hired Charles Black with four projects in mind: CCA/CTAE building, vocational building renovation, Union County High School Cafeteria expansion, and flooring replacement. The contract lasts two years. Altogether, the projects equal around $7 million, but some numbers could fluctuate because they don’t have the designs yet.
$3.75 million in grant funds will go toward the CCA/CTAE building, and the remainder would come from ESPLOST 5.

A construction management company writes all the subcontracts from site work to the end and assists the architect with the design.

“We can do some construction management processes, and it will actually save money on the design,” Facilities Manager Mike Patton explained. “We can do some value engineering along with the architect. They keep each other in check basically.”

Facilities Director Mike Patton

Facilities Director Mike Patton explained why they chose Charles Black Construction.

Charles Black would operate within a set budget and ensure the architect does too. The firm’s headquartered in Cleveland, Ga. Patton vouched for their experience and expertise in their field.

Check out the company’s portfolio here.

“They are small. They aren’t hardly as large a company as others that have submitted, but we feel like we get a lot more personal service,” Patton commented.

A site manager would always be on location. Charles Black will help UCS find the best materials for the best prices too.

As for costs, Patton added Charles Black came in on the low end of the proposals with a multiple dollar fee – a preconstruction fee, and a 2.95 percent construction fee. The company also offered a lower rate for new construction and the standard rate for renovations.

Another RFP would be necessary for the primary school renovation, but UCS will apply for more state grant money for the project.

Superintendent John Hill announced September as the hopeful groundbreaking date for the CCA building.

UCS chose the architect in November 2020. 

Feature image: courtesy of Charles Black Construction and an example of the firm’s previous work.

https://youtu.be/-_YcGnGCJQ8

Union County Schools approves 2021 budget

News, Panther's Corner
2021 budget

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2021 operating budget during the September meeting. The approved budget matches the previously presented tentative budget.

“The challenges we faced in this budget is the very large TBE cut for the state of Georgia…and the added cost of mitigation for COVID-19, which is very costly. We’ve spent several hundred thousand dollars thus far in mitigation strategies,” Superintendent John Hill stated.

Some mitigation tactics include cleaning products, masks, plexiglass, air filters, and PPE to ensure students, faculty, and staff’s safety.

UCS didn’t raise taxes, and all current Union County Schools (UCS) employees will receive their same pay rate. No one will see a pay cut.

As for the CTAE Budget and goals for 2021, the program now falls under Perkins Five for the federal government money. Perkins Five money for Union is $27,199, and some of that goes toward professional development. The state cut agriculture grants by 10 percent. However, the state superintendent is using some of the CARES Act funds to address those state cuts.

“We’re developing a five-year plan for the College and Career Academy, which includes the [facilities] grant,” said Director Josh Davis.

CTAE is also working around COVID-19 to keep students active and learning in different programs this year.

Policy Updates

Additionally, the board of education approved updates to four of the school system’s policies: equal education opportunities (JAA), sexual harassment of students (JCAC), equal opportunity employment (GAAA), sexual harassment of employees (GAEB).

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights issued new Title Nine regulations regarding sexual harassment. The policies went into effect in August, and UCS needed to update its protocols to comply with federal laws. JAA and GAAA are now 10 page polices. Each one provides detailed and legally binding rules on how the school should manage to sexual harassment claims, promptness of response, and overall handling of the case.

“They obligate us to respond promptly and supportively to the alleged [sexual harassment victim.] What we have doesn’t get near enough to what it’s supposed to be now. We now have more specific definitions, response expectations,” explained Assistant Superintendent David Murphy. He added, “In fact, for students, if you draw a paycheck from the school district, you are now a mandated reporter for sexual harassment for students.”

School leadership also participated in training to better understand all federal requirements for these policy updates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68ClNDQZwew

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