The Alba-Golden school board voted to move ahead with the construction of a new agriculture learning facility at Monday’s regular meeting. 

The vote to select the construction manager at-risk for the project passed 6-1 with board member Grant Sadler casting the sole dissenting vote. The vote approved Jackson Construction of Quitman as the construction manager at-risk for the project.  

The agriculture learning center is a new ag projects barn. Plans have been drawn for a large facility of 13,000 square feet (under roof) composed of one classroom, project stalls, animal pens, storage and toilets. 

The new ag barn is a part of a larger facility which would include a multi-purpose show arena. The arena was not a part of the board’s decision. 

The board discussed infrastructure improvements from a number of angles. The investment firm Hilltop Securities briefed the board on the anticipated tax rate which could accompany a $12 million bond sale. The $12 million total is the initial projected cost of a new elementary school wing and a new gymnasium. 

Harris, Craig and Associates Architects presented the latest versions of drawings for the building requirements which have been identified by the board: the ag barn, a new elementary school wing and a gymnasium. Drawings of the multi-purpose show arena were also presented.

Tim Jackson of Jackson Construction was on hand to answer questions regarding his company and the potential construction manager at-risk designation. 

Superintendent Cole McClendon briefed the board that the district had received four proposals for construction manager at-risk, and he recommended Jackson Construction.

McClendon remarked, “We are ready to go forward. The new ag barn would have a direct impact on our kids immediately.” 

Board member Chad Dailey queried the process behind the rankings of the four candidates for construction manager at-risk.

Business Manager Brenda Kelley explained that two separate rankings were conducted, and although the grades were not exactly the same between the four, the same firm was chosen by the two selectees as the recommended candidate.

Board member Sadler offered an open-ended statement, “I don’t know how it looks when we fund one classroom and some animal pens when we need a bunch of new classrooms at the elementary school now.”   

The general discussion before the board centered on what could be done now to meet the school’s building requirements.

Board President Jason Stovall and Superintendent McClendon identified that money had already been set aside within the budget for a new ag barn, and it was direly needed. The district did not have enough money on hand, however, to fund the new classrooms or gymnasium. 

A discussion of timelines associated with a spring bond election – to meet the elementary school and gymnasium requirements – was central to the meeting.

In other action, the board approved a number of bureaucratic requirements (the substitute teachers list, the asynchronous education plan and an agreement with the Rains County Tax Office) without dissent.

In the best moments of the evening, Ayden Rodriguez and Hope Wiley were recognized as the elementary and secondary schools students of the month, respectively. Student Sofia Richardson, who was selected last March but had not yet been recognized before the board due to the coronavirus, was publicly lauded for her selection and contributions to the school.