Board picks architect for new school

This article first appeared in The Sand Mountain Leader on Oct. 29, 2025.

The Albertville Board of Education approved using the same architectural firm that designed Albertville Primary and Albertville Elementary schools to plan its next new school, which will serve kindergarten and first-grade students.

Albertville City Schools Superintendent Bart Reeves was authorized to proceed with contract negotiations with Lathan-McKee Architects to provide design services for the project. The McKee firm, which has designed several projects for Albertville City Schools, partnered with Lathan Architects in May.

Lathan-McKee was one of three firms that made presentations to the board last month. Representatives shared images of several school construction projects and presented a potential design for the new Albertville school.

“We want you to look at us as your trusted architects,” Walter McKee told the board, referencing the firm’s previous work with the district.

The firm proposed a single-story school building, explaining that a two-story structure would cost more and that one level is more appropriate for K-1 students, who do not “vertically circulate” as well as older students. While Lathan-McKee presented a preliminary design at the meeting, architects emphasized they would make changes as needed to reflect the board’s vision for the new school.

The board also approved Phase 1 of a project with Schneider Electric to make improvements across city schools at a cost of $3.2 million. Reeves said the project would be funded through bond proceeds and capital funds.

Todd Smith of Schneider Electric said the company conducted walkthroughs of each school and classroom and met with administrators to identify improvements that would reduce utility costs and enhance school security. Schneider Electric provides design, construction, and ongoing support for such projects and often works with school systems on repeat projects.

Smith said 57% of lighting across Albertville City Schools has already been upgraded, but opportunities remain to improve the rest of the district’s lighting systems. The district has invested in electric vehicle buses through a grant and has already implemented some security upgrades. However, Smith noted additional security improvements could be made, including perimeter fencing at the high school.

He identified several infrastructure challenges, including the fact that 47% of HVAC units in the district are 20 years old or older. The district also lacks widespread automation for lighting, heating, and cooling systems, creating opportunities for efficiency improvements. Smith said the district could also pursue a federal COPS (Community-Oriented Policing Services) grant to help fund fencing at the high school.

The overall project could be completed in approximately four phases. Phase 1 will focus on modernizing Albertville High School, specifically HVAC upgrades at the fine arts building and the gymnasium, which Smith described as the most critical needs.

Automation at the high school is especially important, Smith said, because of the size of the facility and the fact that systems are currently “running wide open.”

Phase 2, planned for the spring, would expand automation to additional schools, include upgrades to the elementary and primary school gym, and complete remaining lighting improvements. Additional phases could be addressed as funding becomes available.

At the high school gym, plans include replacing four outdated HVAC units with three new units, adding an outside-air unit to pretreat incoming air and reduce humidity, and installing three new exhaust fans. At the Fine Arts Building, two HVAC units would be replaced with new rooftop units. Smith said these improvements should keep the facilities in good condition for the next 20 years.

Campus safety improvements, including perimeter fencing and lighting at the high school, would be part of Phase 2, pending the outcome of the federal COPS grant once the government shutdown ends.

The fencing project would include approximately 3,000 linear feet of six-foot chain-link fencing and an additional 1,700 feet of wrought iron fencing with brick columns to maintain the appearance of the front of campus. Plans also include eight rolling gates with keypad access and several pedestrian gates. Smith said the fencing project may need to be completed over multiple phases.

“But it needs to be done, just given where it is in the city and the amount of foot traffic and vehicle traffic you get there,” Smith said.

Phase 1 is estimated to cost $3.2 million, while Phase 2 is projected to cost between $1 million and $2 million. Smith said the improvements are expected to reduce utility costs by more than 20%.

“You should see upwards of $170,000 a year off your utility bills,” he said. “Taken over time, you’re looking at a $5-plus million savings associated with this.”

Reeves said the board will consider Phase 2 once more information is available regarding state funding.

Smith said construction for Phase 1 is planned from January through August, and if approved, Phase 2 would take place from May through July.