Mountain Brook Schools hired an architecture firm in 2018 to audit its six schools, all of which are at least 50 years old. The audit revealed the district needed to make capital improvements costing between $31 million and $87 million.

Following the audit’s conclusion, MBS formed a 28-member community task force to assess the district’s spending and recommend actions it could take to ensure future educational quality and financial capability, including how it might pay for the capital improvements.

The task force, Mountain Brook Board of Education, and Mountain Brook City Council determined that an increase in the city’s ad valorem tax rate could help the school system accomplish its goals. In February 2019, the City Council approved the district’s request to hold a tax referendum. Residents voted in September 2019 for a 10-mill tax increase that was projected to generate an additional $6 million in annual revenue for the school system.

MBS began receiving those funds in October 2020 and is about to begin the capital improvements, which will span the next 16 to 20 years and cost about $74 million.

"We're eager to embark on this series of projects and sincerely appreciate our community's support," MBS Superintendent Dr. Dicky Barlow said. "The planned work meets each school’s needs that were identified during the facilities audit and will enable our district to continue providing students with a high-quality education.”

MBS has taken many steps to prepare for construction since the favorable vote last September.

In December 2019, the Mountain Brook Board of Education hired Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors as the construction manager. Brasfield & Gorrie has helped MBS create a budget, determine the scope of work to be completed at each school, and establish timelines for completion. It also assisted the school system in selecting the three architecture firms contributing their expertise.

In February 2020, the school board voted to hire B. Group Architecture, Inc. to design renovations at Mountain Brook High School; TURNERBATSON to design renovations at Mountain Brook Junior High; and Goodwyn Mills Cawood to design renovations at Mountain Brook’s four elementary schools.

In March 2020, the school board voted to hire Raymond James and Stifel as project underwriters.

"It has been a long process from the time we initiated our facilities audit to selecting the teams that will help us carry out these projects,” Mountain Brook Board of Education President Nicky Barnes said. “We are excited that our plans are coming to fruition and look forward to seeing the abiding, positive impact they will have on our school system and community.”

Each architecture firm has drawn designs and presented them to the school board for review. There will be three major, new construction projects — one at MBHS, one at MBJH, and another at Brookwood Forest Elementary — along with extensive renovations at Cherokee Bend Elementary, Crestline Elementary, and Mountain Brook Elementary.

A timeline for projects will be released at a later date. Some, however, will begin as early as May 2021. Construction highlights include:

MBHS

• A new two-story academic wing with 42 classrooms that will replace the existing 200 and 300 buildings
• A new counseling suite that will replace the existing 100 building
• A new band room and renovated dance studio
• Renovated restrooms in the Fine Arts Center

MBJH

• A new three-story main entrance building with 18 classrooms
• Renovated and expanded cafeteria and auditorium
• Renovated locker rooms
• New pitched roof and turret over media center

Brookwood Forest Elementary

• New addition with main entrance, administrative suite, and lunchroom
• Renovated classrooms and restrooms
• Gym roof replacement
• HVAC improvements
• New paint and flooring as needed throughout the school

Cherokee Bend Elementary

• Renovated lunchroom and kitchen
• Renovated administrative suite
• Renovated restrooms
• HVAC improvements
• New paint and flooring as needed throughout the school

Crestline Elementary

• New gymnasium
• Renovated auditorium
• Renovated main entry and administrative offices
• Renovated restrooms
• HVAC improvements
• New paint and flooring as needed throughout the school

Mountain Brook Elementary

• Renovated lunchroom and administrative offices
• Renovated restrooms
• Window replacements
• Waterproofing building
• HVAC improvements
• New paint and flooring as needed throughout the school

The school board on Tuesday, Oct. 27, voted to approve the schematic designs presented by the architects and directed the underwriters to move forward in securing $74 million in bond issues to fund the projects.

“The Board recognizes that now is the time to take advantage of historic low interest rates as we enter into the bond market,” Barlow said. “Securing such rates will allow us to keep our debt service low and maximize these projects.”