White Co BOE Selects Architect For BonDeCroft School Renovations

The renovations of BonDeCroft Elementary School have taken a step forward with the White County School Board approving an architect Thursday.

The School Board voted for Upland Design to lead the project. Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said the contract will be paid through federal COVID funding.

“We’ve worked with them in the past, and I know they will do a great job,” Dronebarger said. “BonDeCroft is excited to get going. So now that these ESSER funds have been released and approved, we are ready to start the design process.”

Dronebarger said the project would connect a detached gymnasium to the main school building. Dronebarger said through that, a new entrance would be created for the school with additional office spaces and a library.

“BonDeCroft is one of our older schools,” Dronebarger said. “It’s been added on to on one end, but we have a detached gymnasium. So, students are going outside to go to the gym, so it’s a heath concern. It’s certainly a safety concern.”

Dronebarger said drainage issues would also be addressed at one of the out buildings. Dronebarger said he would like the designs ready sooner rather than later.

“The ESSER time table and the application process put us behind, but we are excited to get this going at this point,” Dronebarger said. “Sooner the better and Upland knows that. They’ve already been doing some behind the scenes work.”