Facilities, Athletics, and Policy Committee Meeting 11/2/2026

Hamilton County Schools’ Facilities, Athletics, and Policy Committee met on November 2, 2026. Athletics discussion identified upcoming costs for TSSAA-mandated high-school basketball shot clocks: approximately $5,000 per school by 2029, or roughly $85,000–$90,000 across 17–18 schools, plus recurring costs to operate them. Members also discussed proposing that the district pay Brainerd’s TSSAA-related fine, estimated at about $2,500 (with prior related costs bringing one school’s total to nearly $4,000), and preparing an appeal or proposal on playoff rules; neither action was voted on. Facilities staff reported progress and schedule considerations across five bond projects, including North River Elementary, Soddy-Daisy Middle, Brainerd, Clifton Hills, and Franklin Roberts. The administration recommended moving Orchard Knob Middle School to the Howard Connect site in August 2027; the board will consider the recommendation later. The report notes $6 million previously allocated for Orchard Knob HVAC work remains with the county, and estimates about $500,000 to prepare Howard Connect if the move proceeds.

The committee received an update on Hamilton County Schools’ ABM custodial-services contract, which followed an RFP after the prior contract expired in 2025. Staff described ongoing service and staffing issues, contract inspection thresholds and penalties, and the need to seek funding for third-party audits that were cut from the current-year budget. The committee also reviewed proposed policy changes for future board consideration, including removing the $40 cap on student meal charges; staff were asked to provide school-level debt projections and fiscal information. No procurement awards or spending motions were approved at this meeting.