On July 21, the Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission announced it would be accepting applications for $75 million in grants for vocational school upgrades — in what will be a large part of Gov. Andy Beshear’s “Better Kentucky Plan.”
On Thursday night, the Trigg County Board of Education wasted little time — voting unanimously (5-0) to submit such a grant proposal for its Local Area Vocational Education Center, in hopes of being one of the accepted projects.
According to the application policy, schools can apply for up to $10 million for renovations, but it seems more likely that the $75 million will be parceled out for smaller projects.
Still, through current contractors Sherman Carter Barnhart — already working on schematics for bus garage and tank improvements, the middle school roof and exterior improvements, and a new multipurpose facility and press box — current needs for the vocational school total just north of $10 million.
It means there’s plenty to be done, and according to Trigg County Schools Director of Operations Matt Ladd, any little bit would help.
This will be considered a draft BG-1 until the state either accepts or rejects the grant underwriting, and reports indicate state-wide applications will range in cost, size and need.
Completed in 1972, the Trigg County Vocational School is listed as the top capital construction priority in the school’s District Facility Plan — which was approved by the Kentucky Board of Education in August of 2019 and set for the 2020-22 biennium.
Not addressed in the 1988 and 2010 renovations of the vocational school: site development, doors, hardware and windows, interior finishes and accessories, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and annunciation systems, ADA accessibility and sewer replacement…which came with an estimated cost of nearly $6 million.
The nearly 31,000-square-foot facility hasn’t had much touch in the last 50 years, but the hope is that could change soon. Applications are due by August 13, and funding will be awarded by the SFCC on September 1.
Ladd noted Sherman Carter Barnhart, Trigg County Finance Officer Holly Greene, Trigg County Board of Education Attorney Jack Lackey, Jr., and Trigg County District Instructional Supervisor Faye Stevens have been instrumental in these plans.
The board also thrice unanimously approved three schematic design documents for the current and ongoing BG1 projects under contract with Sherman Carter Barnhart, following a pre-meeting three-dimensional demonstration of the new construction ahead.
