By Gage Wilson
For Glasgow News 1
The third and final public forum for Barren County Schools’ proposed District Facilities Plan ended with little discussion and no public comment, moving the long-range blueprint for more than $73 million in identified facility needs another step toward final approval.
Tim Eaton facilitated the forum, which included a review of the plan and minor revisions requested by the Kentucky Department of Education. Kyley Murphy, a representative of architectural firm Sherman Carter Barnhart, presented the Kentucky Department of Education changes, which she said were minimal and did not substantially alter the projects outlined in the document.
The plan projects an estimated $73.6 million in district facility needs, ranging from major renovations at existing schools to new construction and upgrades involving safety, accessibility and building systems.
Among the largest projects included in the capital construction priorities is a new 275-student Early Learning Center.
“I believe we had originally said a 400 student Early Learning Center and KDE had us bring that down to 275, due to demographics in the county,” said Murphy. “The square footage doesn’t change dramatically after that, but it is a little bit smaller.”
The proposed 40,804-square-foot facility carries an estimated cost of $10.7 million.
Barren County High School is slated for extensive work under the plan, with approximately $10.2 million identified for renovations to older portions of the school. The proposed work includes improvements to exterior walls and windows, doors, roofing, interior finishes, electrical and plumbing systems, HVAC equipment and other building components.
Barren County Middle School also has several projects, including approximately $5 million in renovations to older portions of the building and another $2 million in mechanical improvements. The plan also calls for construction of six standard classrooms totaling 4,800 square feet at an estimated cost of nearly $2.4 million.
Austin Tracy Elementary has more than $6.3 million in major renovation needs listed in the plan, while Hiseville Elementary has more than $7.7 million. Park City Elementary has nearly $5 million in major renovations, and Red Cross Elementary has approximately $8.6 million in work listed.
The plan also includes safety and accessibility improvements throughout the district. Secure vestibules are proposed at Austin Tracy, Hiseville and Red Cross elementary schools, while fire alarms, emergency lighting, LED signage and other safety systems are identified for replacement at several buildings. Elevators are proposed at Austin Tracy Elementary, Red Cross Elementary and Barren County Middle School to address accessibility requirements.
A districtwide technology initiative would also place 175 interactive instructional screens in classrooms at an estimated cost of $1.1 million.
Beyond instructional facilities, the plan outlines a proposed 5,000-square-foot maintenance facility to replace the Hillcrest Annex at an estimated $1.4 million and a new 7,000-square-foot bus garage estimated at $2 million. The existing Barren County preschool facility would eventually be converted for district storage under the plan.
Several additional projects are listed as discretionary and are not included in the district’s $73 million total. Those include athletic and recreational improvements such as new locker rooms and a baseball field at Barren County Middle School; visitor seating, tennis courts, an indoor athletic facility and auxiliary gym, an outdoor JROTC rifle range and replacement of artificial turf at Barren County High School; as well as playground, walking trail and other improvements at elementary campuses.
The only question for the evening centered around how the ubiquity of technology changes the layout of schools.
“In a traditional school you have a big library and media center,” Murphy answered. “The way we view that space now, we’re looking at libraries now as a maker space, more spread out among the school, so instead of having one large space where all kids come together to check out books, you have these dispersed areas where you have small labs or creative spaces.”
With the three public forums now completed — the plan passed in a 12-0 vote — Eaton said the next step is to place the plan before the Barren County Board of Education, which is scheduled to meet Sept. 10.
“Your board meets on the tenth so we’re hoping to get that on their agenda,” Eaton said. “The last step is a public hearing. We’ve had three public forums to give people a chance to come in and see what you’re doing, the planning and work that’s being done.”
Following board action, the required public hearing would represent the final local step in the district facilities planning process. Eaton said that the date for the hearing would be announced on the school’s website as well as media publications.
Key Facts
– Barren County Schools’ proposed District Facilities Plan identifies about $73.6 million in facility needs
– The third and final public forum ended with no public comment and a 12-0 planning committee vote
– Plan includes a new 275-student Early Learning Center estimated at $10.7 million
– Barren County High School would see about $10.2 million in renovations to older areas
– Middle and elementary schools are slated for major renovations, safety and accessibility upgrades
– A districtwide technology initiative would add 175 interactive instructional screens
– Discretionary athletic and recreational projects are listed but not in the $73 million total
– The plan now moves to the Barren County Board of Education’s Sept. 10 meeting, then a final public hearing
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