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The Franklin City Public Schools maintenance team will be undertaking the task of renovating each restroom at Franklin High School, aiming to have the project completed prior to Thanksgiving break.

FCPS Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Federal Programs Dr. Clint Walters provided an update on the FHS Restroom Renovation Project on June 6 at the Franklin City School Board’s work session.

In his presentation, he noted that on May 17, the school division released a Request for Proposals for the project. The project will be funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III funds.

He explained that the renovation was set to include replacement of toilets, urinals and sinks in each restroom at the high school.

“The RFP closed on Monday, June 3, at 2 p.m. with no bids being offered to complete the project,” he stated in the presentation.

However, he also noted that based on the proposed scope of work, “the FCPS maintenance team is confident they can complete the necessary work to enhance the current quality of the restrooms at FHS.”

He indicated that the school division would move forward with the purchase of materials so that expenses for the project are encumbered by the Sept. 30, 2024, deadline.

In a Monday, June 17, email interview, Walters confirmed that all funding for this work will be completed using ESSER III funding, and he said he believes the total project will come in with a price tag of just less than $100,000.

He shared his thoughts on why the school division’s RFP received no bids.

“We have published our RFPs through our division communication system,” he said. “While many businesses will search for school-based RFPs, others don’t. Moving forward, we will work through our finance team to reach a wider audience by placing our RFPs on eVA, a network that allows public entities to solicit bids for major projects.”

Addressing the timetable of the FHS Restroom Renovation Project, Walters said, “There are many major projects being completed this summer. The (FCPS maintenance) team is going to be working to have all restrooms renovated prior to Thanksgiving break.”