Boyd board tours construction

Feb. 20—CANNONSBURG — Major projects within Boyd County's School District are no longer 2-D renderings, as progress was evident during a special meeting on Tuesday where school board members got a firsthand look of a new vocational school and a total rehab of Cannonsburg Elementary School.

Kicking off the evening, Project Manager Jeff Williams with Trace Creek Construction and Allison Commings with Sherman Carter Barnhart architecture firm led board members and Superintendent Bill Boblett through the current shell of Cannonsburg.

With the use of a $7 million grant from the state in 2021, the elementary school is well on its way to a much-needed modernization and refurbish.

The building has undergone patch-like upgrades to the original 1960s-era shell throughout the years, but it still lacked updated HVAC systems, insulation and up-to-date plumbing.

The revamp includes a total roof rehaul, requiring new decking and space for 6 inches of insulation and up-to-code fire coating.

Like all old buildings, architect Commings said you really can't see the state of the structure until you get it down to the studs.

While structurally sound in most places, it was uncovered that other spots needed attention, including block issues on the gym's roof which began slipping with age and outdated plumbing in the school's main bathrooms.

The large cafeteria space, formerly the gymnasium to older generations, too, is in the process of receiving a major renovation, including extra kitchen space and an elevator lift so students with mobility challenges can access the cafeteria's stage.

The entrance of the school — currently consisting of a gravel floor and torn down to cement blocked walls — will eventually house space for a new security vestibule, the entrance to the Family Resource Center, a receptionist section, a conference room, first aid/nurse's office, staff restrooms and Principal Christy Reliford's office.

Reliford said it's one form of excitement to see the plans in renderings and layouts, but a whole different level to see it actually coming to fruition.

Reliford said its the physical evidence of the changes that remind her the project is real.

"I've been so busy, there's so many things behind the scenes," Reliford said, motioning to three paint swatches at the rear of the school. "It's so exciting to see it coming together."

The elementary school, projected to be completed by the end of 2024, will welcome back more than 200 students.

But it's not just the younger Boyd County Lions who have something to look forward to.

The district also previously allocated funds to build an on-campus career and technical center for its high schoolers.

On Tuesday, Williams and Commings gathered school board members in front of the construction site, which may look far from complete to the average eye.

"You'll see a lot going on in the next 30 days," Williams said, adding workers will begin pouring 200 yards of concrete for the floor slab starting today.

By the first of next month, Williams said construction will include shaping the building out for the arrival of load-bearing walls.

Currently planned to conjoin an already-exiting wing of the high school, Boblett said the on-campus site will be a huge help in alleviating transportation issues, as it currently takes 20-25 minutes to transport five bus loads of students to the current vocational school.

The transportation issue also creates a time constraint for bus drivers with elementary school pick up times in the afternoon, meaning the district had to sacrifice a whole end-of-day class for vocational students to ensure drivers will be available after 2 p.m.

With the new addition, students who need core classes at the physical high school campus but also need time at the vocational school no longer have to figure out how to be two places at once, since the school can offer that end-of-day course with the adjoining wing.

Scheduled to be ready for students on Dec. 31, Boyd High School Principal Courtney Bartley said more than 600 students are currently enrolled in the district's nine vocational programs and 14 career pathways.

The current vocational school — which Boblett said has served its purpose — has size issues, and according to Bartley, its older electricity capabilities cannot support the current demand, specifically for welding.

In addition to the new vo-tech space, Bartley said the district is adding a new industrial maintenance program with a focus on electricity, robotics, programming controls and computerized technologies, which will teach students how to maintain large manufacturing plants operated by such technologies.

The new construction will also include a greenhouse for agriculture programs, including horticulture and animal science.

(606) 326-2652 — mjepling@dailyindependent.com