EIS approves generalized building plan

Each school district is required to routinely review a construction needs list and submit it to the state Department of Education. Referred to as the District Facilities Plan, these documents declare priorities and direct the flow of spending.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools updated its plan by identifying general urgencies and no No. 1 priority in order to retain the greatest flexibility in spending and full local decision making. The school board reviewed and adopted the plan during a special meeting Wednesday.

Each of the district’s six instructional buildings and the central office all are mentioned.

Construction possibilities on the wish list include a $1.16 million auditorium at Elizabethtown High; three standard classrooms and two science labs at T.K. Stone Middle School; and a conference room, guidance office, staff office and classroom at Morningside Elementary.

A 6,000-square-foot replacement for the district’s central office on Helm Street is listed as a $1.72 million concept. There also are more than a half-million dollars worth of improvements outlined for the bus garage, including a driver training area.

Discretionary projects include new lighted tennis courts, improved lighting and restroom upgrades at baseball and softball fields and additional parking at T.K. Stone, Morningside and Helmwood Heights Elementary.

The district opened the new preschool and kindergarten center known as Panther Academy during the last school year. The first new EIS building in 40 years, it will be fully occupied this fall.

In approving the plan, the board only acknowledges needs. The vote was not an allocation of funding or project approval.

In a work session before Wednesday’s special meeting, the board reviewed revised architectural plans for a new sports complex at Elizabethtown High School. The changes were designed to bring the project within a $4 million budget.

The stadium, which will be used for football, track and soccer, must be let for bids. It is scheduled to be used by the 2013 football season.

Ben Sheroan can be reached at (270) 505-1764 or bsheroan@thenewsenterprise.com.