Florence 1 Schools Board Meeting-August 13, 2026

At its August 13, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting, Florence 1 Schools reviewed summer facility work and approved several spending items. The board approved a $355,979.88 furniture package for Briggs Elementary and a $340,611 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract to remove and resurface Wilson High School’s track, with work planned after football season. It also approved the Aquatic Center GMP contract, with construction costs not to exceed $17.5 million; the district said the amount was higher than initially anticipated and noted that county and Bruce and Lee partners had already provided contributions. Board members discussed how facility and operating funds are kept separate, in response to public concerns about the Aquatic Center’s effect on academic spending.

The superintendent reported approximately $5 million in annual maintenance investment and described summer work including about $750,000 in painting, $300,000 in paving and HVAC-related work, $400,000 in flooring, more than $100,000 in windows and doors, and more than $326,000 in plumbing and restrooms. Other projects include Savannah Grove, expected to open in July 2027, and athletic-field work at Williams Middle School. The district also contributed $12,000 toward each of two student bus shelters, with the city and PDRTA covering the remaining costs. Field-trip submissions and the 2026–27 board school-visit calendar were also approved; no additional procurement action was reported for those items.