Board Selects Cahill Construction For STEM/Ag Building

The Bourbon School Board on Nov. 19 awarded a $1.6 million bid to Cahill Construction for the construction of the STEM/Ag building at the high school.

As part of a $2.5 million bond issue that was approved by voters in the June election, the building will provide a facility for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and agriculture classes.

Board members also approved an alternative bid of $29,000 to have a covered awning constructed.

A bid to have a fire suppression system installed failed to receive a motion.

The suppression system was recommended by the fire marshal’s office and would cost $58,000 with the possibility of extending into the existing buildings.

However, the board decided not to go forward.

The entire project should be completed for the start of the 2021-22 school year.

Other Projects

The district continues to have its projects from the bond issue completed.

Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs said five are done and bids were due the day before the HVAC installation at the elementary and middle school.

The ion generator from Global Plasma Solutions (GPS) has successfully been installed.

GPS says the system disperses ions into the air, which combines with particles or pathogens, clustering them together and becoming easier to filter out.

The ions disrupt the pathogens, rendering them inactive and unable to replicate. 

GPS also touts the system as a purifier that reduces the amount of fresh air needed from the outside, which can save on energy costs.

Safety Entry

Gibbs said a secure entry will get underway at the elementary school on Dec. 21. It will be finished by the time students return in 2021.

The elementary school is the only campus that does not yet have a vestibule for people to enter through.

Central Office

A bid for upgrades at the central office was awarded to Jim Becker Construction for $9,905.