Putnam School Board Approves Contract For New School

The Putnam County Board of Education has approved a design contract for a new school.

Attorney Dan Rader said the contract with Upland Design Group will favor the school system as the project moves forward.

“This is in piecemeal and we do have this delay period built in to get funding,” Rader said. “If you’ve ever looked at one of the architectures AIA contracts, it’s a very dry document and they’re all drafted in favor of architects. We tried to change the contract where it was more in favor of the school board and owner.”

The board approved a second motion Thursday allowing Upland to begin surveying the 45-acre property on Lee Seminary Road. Superintendent Jerry Boyd said the survey will help the board decide what type of school to build.

“Getting a survey, and looking at potential footprints of school building will help us decide if it is feasible to put a K-8 facility on that site,” Boyd said. “If not, then we will move forward with the original plan, which is a K-4 facility.”

After deciding what type of school to build, Upland will have 60-days to present a final design to the board. Rader said the contract would then be held in obeyance, pending funding from the county commission.

“Once the county commission funds that contract, then construction will start,” Rader said. “We’re looking to do a bid process where we pre-qualify contractors. I think everybody is really excited to move forward and get some plans together so we can move on this.”

The Board of Education purchased property for the new school nearly one year ago.