School board hires architect

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

The Metcalfe County School Board voted unanimously Monday night to hire an architect to design the school district’s new middle school.

The school board went with G. Scott and Associates of Frankfort, which was one of five architectural firms to submit bids for the project and one of two that presented proposals to the school board. The other architectural firm that presented was Lucas/Schwering of Lexington.

Patricia Hurt, superintendent, recommended the board go with G. Scott and Associates.

“We heard, I think, two very fine proposals. Two architects attended a special-called meeting last week and both, I think, presented a very good effort on their part to serve this board of education,” she said. “After hearing those presentations and knowing the needs of this board I think the best for us is G. Scott and Associates and I would ask that we approve this recommendation.”

Board chairman Steve Thompson echoed Hurt’s comments.

“Two very good presentations by those firms, as I began to poll the board the next day, individually, I got the same answer from every board member to the letter,” he said. “I think everyone of us left there that night with a clear idea of our needs and our goals and which one was going to help us meet those.”

Following the school board’s action to award the contract to G. Scott and Associates, Larry Williams, who retired from the Allen County School System, thanked the school board and Hurt for making him feel welcome.

“I hope I contributed to some part of it,” he said.

Williams was asked to give the school board advice on how to go about building a new school, since no one on the school board had prior experience in building schools. During his tenure with the Allen County School System, there were two additions to Allen County High School, a new middle school was built, and the school district in constructed a new primary center, a new intermediate center and a new central office, he said.

Thompson thanked Williams for his help.

“What you brought to us is something that none of us had. It has been a learning process for us. I appreciate what you’ve been able to help us through in this process,” he said.

Now that the school board has chosen an architect, the next step is for the Kentucky Department of Education to approve the hiring of G. Scott and Associates for the project. Once that task is completed, the school board will begin meeting with the architectural firm and put together a few proposals.

“In the meetings we had with each architect it was discussed whether a stand-alone facility versus an attached facility (would be possible). We’re going to have to look at those issues on a cost factor,” said Thompson. “Our original intent on our facilities plan was to attach an addition, but it may be cost prohibitive once we get to that point.”

Hurt pointed out that a middle school committee has made some recommendations to the school board and those recommendations will be shared with the architect later.

During their proposal to the school board, Gary Scott and Craig Aossey of G. Scott & Associates gave two estimates on projects costs. One at $190 per square foot for a 60,000 square foot space for a total of roughly $13.2 million. The other estimate was also for a 60,000 square foot space at a cost of $180 per square foot for a total of $12.4 million. The cost of the project will depend on whether the school board wants to build a free-standing facility or attach one to the high school, Hurt said.

The school district has a bonding capacity of $11.3 million. In September the school board voted to take a 4 percent increase in tax revenue compared to 2008. The tax increase is expected to generate about $92,812 in additional revenue for the district, less $3,712.48 for the cost of collections for a total of $89,099.52. State law allows any school district to provide a special fund for the purchase of construction sites for new schools, physical education or athletic facilities. It also allows districts to create such a special fund for the major alteration, enlargement or the equipping of existing buildings and athletic facilities.

The school has set aside 5.7 cents per $100 assessed value form the tax rate to generate revenue to pay for the construction. The monies garnered from the tax revenue increase will be matched with about $90,000 from the school district’s General Fund to be the equivalent of a nickel, which the school board is hoping the state legislature will equalize the board’s contribution when it reconvenes in January.

OLDER NEWS

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

G Scott & Associates Architect Plc Receives 2009 Best of Frankfort Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- G Scott & Associates Architect Plc has been selected for the 2009 Best of Frankfort Award in the Architectural Services category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

NEWS RELEASE

ROWAN COUNTY SCHOOLS

Going Green at the new Rowan County Middle School

When people talk about the new Rowan County Middle School going green, they won’t be talking about its school color. In concern for the environment and for world energy consumption, Americans are being urged to become more energy efficient. This energy efficient campaign, called “going green”, will be part of the routine, part of everyday school life, once the new Rowan County Middle School opens.

When putting together the plans for the new Rowan County Middle School, the architects of G. Scott & Associates, Architects PLC and the mechanical engineers of Shrout Tate Wilson Consulting Engineers, PLLC took into account the amount of energy a facility of this size could consume and added features that will make the school more energy efficient. The energy saving devices and techniques included in the plans have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has given the new Rowan County Middle School the label “Designed to Earn the Energy Star.”

A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, “Energy Star” assists Americans to make more fiscally responsible energy decisions as well as protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. A facility that qualifies for the “Energy Star” rating must meet strict energy performance standards set by EPA. “Energy Star” facilities use less energy, are less expensive to operate, and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

“The ‘Designed to Earn the Energy Star’ designation is not the same as the ‘Energy Star’ designation,” said Craig Aossey, architect with G. Scott & Associates. “The ‘Energy Star’ designation can only be earned after the building has been occupied for a year. The building must be operated within certain guidelines, and this process involves submittal of energy bill data from the first 12 months after the building is occupied.”

Many of the energy saving features of the new facility may go unnoticed once the building is opened and in use. Some of the energy efficient devices and techniques that will be included in the finished Rowan County Middle School will include a high efficiency HVAC system, special roofing material and low-reflective coating insulated glass, both of which reduce solar heat gain, and air locks at exterior doors to reduce air infiltration.

“We teach our students to be responsible citizens, to take care of the world around them,” said RCMS principal Tresia Swain. “Our new school, with its energy efficient design and equipment, will serve as a tangible example of putting those lessons to work. It will also encourage our students to look for more ways to ‘go green.’”

L ocal News Visitors get a peek at Augusta Independent School addition
- The Ledger Independent, Maysville, KY

AUGUSTA -- Curious about taking a tour of its school addition still under construction, a dozen school officials and guests met at the Augusta Independent School library Friday.

In the morning presentation, which included a listing of recent school accomplishments by AIS Superintendent John Cordle and Principal Lisa McCane, was an introduction into a student health enhancement program being implemented.

Through Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids, children learn and exercise while playing in organized activities, officials explained... read the complete article from The Ledger Independent