The Russell County Board of Education voted unanimously to move forward with the middle school renovation project Monday night.
As part of that process, the board accepted a bid from Sherman Carter Barnhart for architectural design and Branscum Construction for construction management.
The two companies are also working together on the Lake Cumberland Regional College and Workforce Center being built on the Russell County High School campus.
Superintendent Michael Ford praised the two companies for the work being done at the LCRCWC and recommended that the board accept bids from the two companies for work on the expansive renovation project at RCMS.
The renovation project would address several areas of need that were noted in the state-approved district facilities plan. Among them, according to Ford, are HVAC improvements as there are classrooms at the middle school that still have window units and handicap accessibility throughout the school, particularly the cafeteria and the basement. Ford mentioned that part of the project includes the installation of an elevator at the middle school to access the downstairs portion of the building.
The project will also include the installation of LED lighting and paving on the RCMS campus, Ford told WJRS News.
