News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Initial cost estimates to renovate BonDeCroft Elementary School in White County have came in over budget.
Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the architect is now working on another plan.
“They did say it was going to be more expensive than what we were planning,” Dronebarger said. “We don’t know what that number is, but it’s going to take them now really going through and trying to draw up square footage and come back with a number.”
The project would connect a detached gymnasium to the main school building. Through the new breezeway, a new entrance would be created for the school with additional office and library space. Dronebarger said the school is still moving forward with the renovations.
“We’re really just in the beginning stages,” Dronebarger said. “We sat down and said here is what we are thinking. They’ve gone back to the drawing board. So, they haven’t even came up with a concept.”
During the Thursday School Board meeting, Board Member Dewayne Howard asked Dronebarger about the project starting the conversation.
“Since BonDeCroft is in my district, can I have a little more information about what we do know or don’t know about the plans?” Howard said. “Improvements, the building, any problems that we run up against like electrical or water, because you can hear anything through the grape vine and the grape vine is saying it’s going to cost a whole lot more money than we originally thought.”
Dronebarger said the school does not know a lot about the project scope with only one construction meeting held so far. The project was one of the highest wants when the school system surveyed the community on how to spend federal COVID money.
