The Overton County School Board approved bids for expansion projects Tuesday night at Allons, Hilham, and Rickman Elementary.
School Board Member Mike Hayes said the three projects were budgeted at a combined $20 million. The bids came in some $1 million under. Hayes said each school will be adding new classrooms, and Rickman will expand the cafeteria.
“We’ve had some decline in our city schools which has expanded out to our you know, other county schools,” Hayes said. “You know, obviously, that’s something too. But we’ve had overall growth. I mean, our numbers are up to I think 2,950 this year, where it was like 2,750.”
Hayes said some these 200 new students are likely homeschool kids re-entering the public school system and he hopes to see that trend continue. The three elementary school projects are expected to be complete next school year.
Hayes said Rickman Elementary’s14 new classrooms, cafeteria, and a new playroom will account for some $8.7 million of the project. Hayes said ten new classrooms at Hilham will cost some $4.4 million, and Allons will receive three additional classrooms with a lab as part of its $3.5 million allocation.
“We’re also re-doing the asphalt drive around the back to help with the parking,” Hayes said. “So the parents will you know, be coming in from the normal side and exiting on the Highway 52 side in the future. That’s the plan right now.”
Hayes said the next step will have architects and contractors work on the contract, followed by school visits. Hayes said there should be little to no impact to each school’s daily operations, as the staging sites will be away from high traffic areas like parking lots.
Hayes said larger, more impactful projects will be completed during off times. For instance, the Rickman cafeteria will likely be completed over a break or the summer when students are not using it.
Hayes said following approval Monday night, the ground could be broken as early as October.
In addition to these projects, Hayes said the extra $1 million will be used toward a few smaller projects. At A.H. Roberts Elementary, the outdoor basketball court will be resurfaced and re-fenced.
New fencing, netting, and a backstop will also go up at the Livingston Academy softball field. Livingston Academy will also get new floor and bleachers in the school’s gym.
“At Wilson, they’re getting a new awning out where they drop the Pre-K kids off,” Hayes said. “When it rains now, they drop them off, they’re out in the rain before they go straight into the school, so that’ll help with those Pre-K kids at Wilson.”
In other business, The Overton County School Board approved the certified supplement pay schedule.