Whitley County school board updated on building projects

Robert Halcomb, The Times-Tribune, Corbin, Ky.
·2 min read

Oct. 24—WILLIAMSBURG — The Whitley County Board of Education approved several measures on Thursday to improve the schools within their district.

As part of ongoing efforts to renovate or improve various buildings, the Whitley County Board of Education approved the following continuations Thursday: HVAC upgrades to Whitley North Elementary; upgrades to the Whitley County High School Career and Technical Education Building; an expansion of Oak Grove Elementary cafeteria; and an addition to WCHS Physical Education. The council also approved the re-flooring of Whitley North Elementary with new material that can be more easily maintained.

Additionally, the construction of a new track for Whitley County Middle School is going well according to Suzanne Irwin, a RossTarrant architect who attended the meeting.

Irwin stated, "They've experienced weather delays, but construction is now on track...The crew is on site and they have assured us that they are not leaving until it is complete."

The cost of the floor replacement was listed at $319,222.06.

To help finance these projects, the Board of Education approved three separate measures. Firstly, the board approved a measure to match the offer made by Kentucky Education Technology Systems for aid. This amounted to $41,619. Secondly, the board approved the usage of an online payment system that would allow for alumni, or anyone who wished to donate to the school system, to easily donate online.

The third measure involved convening the Whitley County School District Finance Corporation, and this required the advice of Dr. Bob Tarvin. The board wished to sell municipal bonds in order to earn the funding necessary to replace the floors of Whitley North Elementary. However, as Tarvin would explain, Kentucky law does not permit school boards to issue bonds with durations longer than one year. In order to issue these bonds, board has established the Whitley County School District Finance Corporation, which would be permitted to issue such bonds. The board then voted, as the finance corporation, to issue the bonds to the amount of $319,222.06.

The board also honored Whitley County High School teacher Johnna Robinson for her excellence in teaching with the Above and Beyond Award. Robinson received high praise from both Principal Julie Osborne and Superintendent John Siler.

Siler stated, "It means so much to me that someone like you...leads by example to our future educators."