School board approves architect for possible future construction

The Christian County School Board approved the hiring of an architect to start the design process of a possible consolidation of the high schools and approved a report that paves the way for KDE approval.

Assistant Superintendent Josh Hunt told the board that they put the project out for bids in mid-May, and they were pleased to receive 11 proposals back, giving them plenty to choose from.

His recommendation, which was approved unanimously by the board, was to select JKS Architects of Hopkinsville and Hafer Associates, of Evansville, which he says were highly scored and would include partnerships with local entities.

They would be responsible for designing any potential construction in the district, not just the proposed consolidation. Hunt says one of the things they liked about the presentation was the ability for educators and the public to have input in the design plans.

The board also approved a District Facilities Plan Hearing Officer’s report, which says that the board held a public hearing on June 1.  Hunt says it was advertised in the Kentucky New Era the meeting would be held, and it wasn’t immediately clear if other notifications were made to local media leading up to the hearing.  Only two people were attendance, according to the report, which were Hunt and a facilitator with the Kentucky School Plant Managers Association, Pete Galloway.

With the approval of the report, it heads to the Kentucky Department of Education, which is set to approve it and the Facilities Plan at a meeting in August.