HCS plans to buy building and land

By MARTY FINLEY mfinley@thenewsenterprise.com HARDIN COUNTY — The Hardin County Schools Board voted unanimously Thursday to purchase a building and land on Corporate Drive to house part of what now is in its downtown annex. The board has an option to purchase the property until Aug. 15 and now wait to meet requirements from the Kentucky Department of Education. The building, part of which has been leased to B.W. Metals, will offer the board about 14,000 square feet to renovate, said Gary Milby, associate superintendent for finance and support services. Milby said they would move the technology department and TV production studio into the building. He said they would then relocate the print shop out of the current annex and into the building and grounds building. The building, which is about 24,000 square feet, has been leased to B.W.Metals for two years, Milby said. After that, they will use the additional 10,000 square feet as well. Milby said the school system tried to bid the project out earlier, but the bids were coming in higher than it could spend from its budget, so the board rejected the bids and put the project on hold. During that time, the building on Corporate Drive became available and the school system decided to move forward on the project. Milby said the project will be funded through facilities money and will not affect the general fund. The board plans to bid the project out soon and Milby said the board believes the bids will fall within its budget. Marty Finley can be reached at (270) 505-1762.