News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Pickett County Board of Education unanimously rejected the sole bid opened Monday for the construction of a solar pavilion.
The school system was awarded a $100,000 grant through TVA to fund the project, but, the total price tag for the work came in at $358,000. Director of Schools Diane Elder said the price was too high to cover.
“I am very disappointed,” Elder said. “Am I surprised? No, Just knowing that there’s been no other bids other than the one, and it it was so much over.”
Elder said from her discussions with other schools, Pickett County is not the only system experiencing high bids. Elder said she plans to regroup with TVA to possibly rebid the project.
“I will say a phone call will be made to TVA just to let them know that we did not have a bid that was under price and what is our next step,” Elder said. “We will have to have that discussion.”
Elder said the school system has until the end of September to spend the funds before losing it. The main part of the TVA grant program also awarded a $400,000 grant for HVAC replacements and installing LED lights. Elder said the bids for that project will be opened on Thursday.
“I think that one is doable,” Elder said, “I think that is a 99 percent chance of happening.”
