District Selects FSG, Hoener For Possible Bond Projects

The Bourbon School Board has selected an engineering firm and architect firm to begin laying the groundwork for projects that would be part of a bond issue next April.

During a special session on December 3, the board voted 4-3 to select Facility Solutions Group as the engineering firm.

A motion to select KRJ failed by a 2-4 vote.

Hoener Architects has been chosen as the architecture group. The company has worked with the Sullivan School District in the past.

Superintendent Dr. Kyle Gibbs said it appears the district will proceed with the bond, but it won’t be decided until January.

“We want to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Gibbs said.

The district has a bonding capacity of more than $2 million and Gibbs acknowledged they would have a bigger chunk of money if they waited a year.

“If you wait a year, costs could get more expensive,” he said.

The board’s priorities include constructing a safety entrance at the elementary school, upgrades to the seventh and eighth grade hallway and an agriculture building at the high school.

Gibbs said engineers and architects have been on site. 

“They did a walk-around on our campuses and made inspections on our HVAC systems,” he said. “We also held a meeting with our agriculture team to see what could be designed.”

The agriculture building would be built in the area between the school and the softball field. Gibbs said they may design a space that allows the district to branch out into engineering and technology.

In addition to a potential new entrance at the elementary school, Gibbs said the engineering and architecture teams looked at the first and second grade hallway for problems, including plumbing. 

When Bourbon issued a $2 million bond in 2014, the district used those funds to create a safer entry for students at the high school. Gibbs said they would do something similar at the elementary. Right now outside visitors are buzzed in and walk several steps to the office. Gibbs said they would be using potential bond money to rearrange that.

The other priority would be safety improvements at the seventh and eighth grade hallway. It is one of the oldest buildings in the district and they would replace tile possibly containing asbestos. 

As part of the 1:1 technology initiative, the district also would re-work the electric system, including shortenings. Gibbs said more power is needed to keep up with the initiative.