Although plans for the new Logan County elementary school are currently moving forward on schedule, Superintendent Marshall Kemp is cautious when it comes to saying things will continue full speed ahead. A troubled economy and state budget shortfalls have Kemp and other school leaders concerned about future finances.
“We can't put the school system in financial peril,” Kemp said.
Schematic design plans for the new school, which will be located on Franklin Road, were approved in September. The total estimated cost for the school is $13 million.
Kemp said that to finance the construction of the school, the system might have to reach its maximum bonding capacity and he does not like to do that.
“I like to have some for emergencies,” Kemp said.
They would also have to dig deep into the general fund, and Kemp would rather not do that either.
In dealing with recent state budget cuts, Logan County schools avoided layoffs because they had money in the general fund to help cover some of the shortfall.
At their meeting Tuesday evening, the board approved measures that are necessary to keep the plans for the school on schedule. As it stands now, bids for construction will be taken in April and, if a bid is approved, ground will be broken in the summer of 2009. The school is set to be built in two stages. The first will be the elementary portion and then the middle school portion. Plans call for the elementary grades to be ready for students in fall of 2010.
Kemp said the board will discuss where they are on costs in December.
The decision to build a new school was made in spring of 2007 in response to increased enrollment throughout the county with some schools at or near capacity. Kemp said that while enrollment is still up in the district, they are doing better this year than last at the individual schools, such as Auburn, which had been over capacity in previous years.
Kemp said that next year's state budget will play an important role in how quickly the new Logan County elementary school is completed.
If there's going to be a shortfall, Kemp said, they may have to slow down the process.
“We can try to not get in a hurry to do things and wait until things get better,” Kemp said.
In the meantime, they will continue as planned, finalizing plans and getting ready to take bids. By the time that happens, the General Assembly will have done their work and Kemp and other leaders will have a better idea of where the district stands financially.
“We're trying to be responsible all the way through,” Kemp said.
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