Architects tell Bath County board KDE rules, rising costs make renovation impractical; superintendent announces transition

Ross Tarrant Architects presented the district's facility assessment and said state funding rules and current bid prices make renovating Bath County Middle School impractical, urging the community to consider a "nickel" tax to fund a new building.

"They would recommend that you don't do it," the presenter said of KDE review, adding, "they will cap you" at roughly $20,100,000 even if the true renovation estimate is higher. The presenter contrasted that cap with the district's replacement and bid estimates, noting KDE's property-replacement figure and recent average bid costs were substantially higher.

Why it matters: presenter testimony and the planning documents cited Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) guidance and a facility-planning manual section that, the presenter said, limits the amount KDE will allow a district to spend on a renovation once a defined threshold is exceeded. The presenter said the district currently has about $17 million available (roughly $10 million in bonding capacity plus a $7,146,000 grant) but that realistic replacement or new-construction bids put the true cost roughly in the $30–34 million range, leaving a large funding gap.

Board members pressed the presenter on practical implications. One asked whether KDE would simply refuse a renovation; the presenter replied: "Katie will not tell you no, but they'll say you cannot spend more than, in this case, $20,100,000... No matter if the actual renovation need is 25.7 or what we actually estimated... they'll cap you." The architect also warned of the typical hidden costs of renovating older structures — asbestos abatement, code-driven change orders and unforeseen conditions — that can sharply increase final costs once work begins.

The presentation flagged specific code and accessibility shortcomings at the middle school, saying some restrooms and doorways do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and that the gym and locker-room circulation does not allow independent access for people using wheelchairs. "For the law to be compliant... a person's got to have to be able to navigate by themselves and have autonomy to participate," the presenter said.

The presenter summarized the trade-offs: a renovation capped at the KDE limit would likely fund systems work (HVAC, roof, mechanical systems) but would not permit spatial upgrades such as added special-education classrooms or reconfigured administrative spaces. That, he said, risks repeatedly paying to deconstruct and reconstruct systems and still ending with a building that does not meet the district's educational or accessibility needs.

Superintendent Harvey Tackett, in a separate statement to the board, announced he will transition from his role and will "work closely with the board, staff, and leadership team to facilitate continuity and support the search for my successor." Tackett thanked district staff and trustees and called the recent facility planning efforts and gains in graduation and staff pay "reflective of the dedication and passion of everyone within this district."

Next steps: the presentation and questions established the financial and regulatory constraints that the board and community will have to address before deciding whether to seek a local nickel tax to fund a new middle school. The county clerk and board later announced early-voting dates and an election day for any ballot question, and the board continues to receive technical and financial updates as the planning process proceeds.