Construction and traffic flow at the consolidated Christian County High School were the main topics at Thursday’s Christian County School Board meeting.
Before board members got to business, Board Chair Tom Bell read a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month. During the month, Bell says the school system has worked to host events and programs spotlighting Black excellence and the contributions of African Americans.
Recent inclement weather and below freezing temperatures have stifled construction at the consolidated high school, but Tim Geegan from Alliance Corporation says construction is progressing well in heated indoor areas.
The board approved four more construction change orders which result in the price tag for the consolidated high school increasing by around $14,000. The change orders include materials for outdoor bollards and power connection revisions for a large monitor.
At the board’s last meeting, they approved the job description and qualifications for the executive principal of the consolidated Christian County High School. Superintendent Chris Bentzel says a six-person committee of three school staff and three community members have been selected to interview candidates.
The position is being advertised and so far, there have been three applicants. Bentzel says they plan to host interviews the first week of March and hope to have a decision by April.
The consolidated high school sits along Fort Campbell Boulevard and Lovers Lane and Assistant Superintendent, Kevin Crider shared how school traffic is intended to flow. The bus entrance and the parent and guest entrance are both off of Lovers Lane. After dropping off are picking up their kiddos, parents will exit onto MSU Drive. Then student traffic will enter from Conference Center Drive and MSU Drive.
Lovers Lane will have much more morning and afternoon traffic once the new school opens and Bentzel says he is working with local government leaders on widening the Lovers Lane and Lafayette Road connection to accommodate the increased traffic.
The widening project will add a turning lane from Lafayette Road onto Lovers Lane and Bentzel says the project is expected to start on May 26.