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Estill County board hears three firms’ plans for new middle school; decision set for next Thursday
Summary
Three architectural teams — Klotfelter Samachar, Russ Tarrant Architects and DECO Architects — presented approaches to design, schedule and cost control for Estill County’s proposed middle school; the board will choose a firm at its next meeting, moved to 5 p.m. for a parade.
The Estill County Board of Education convened a special meeting Oct. 8 to hear 15-minute presentations from three architectural firms competing to design the district’s proposed new middle school.
Klotfelter Samachar Architects emphasized decades of experience with school projects and extensive renderings to reduce surprises during construction. Tony Thomas, the firm’s vice president and partner, said the firm prioritizes client collaboration and repeated review: "We listen, create, and design." He added the team conducts site planning and governing-agency submittals and noted some early site reports and surveys are provided "without any charge" to clients.
Russ Tarrant Architects focused on site geology and long-lead permitting items. Jonathan, a member of RTA’s team, told the board the current middle school’s soil issues stem from pyritic shale that "swells, and it's the reason you're seeing those issues in your current middle school," and recommended a cut-and-fill strategy to place a new building on treated bedrock. He also recommended orienting the building about 15 degrees off true south to improve passive heating, cooling and daylighting, saying the small change can lower long-term operating costs.
DECO Architects, a regional firm based in Somerset, highlighted local ties and education-sector expertise on its staff. Derek Phillips and Jessica Phillips told the board they bring educators and former superintendents into design work so buildings can better support instruction; Jessica Phillips said the firm offers an education-informed perspective: "We bring so many aspects of education to the table along with the design aspect to really blend those things together to make a complete design that's perfect for your students." DECO said it emphasizes regular communication, weekly client updates and pairing a structurally minded project lead with the district’s construction manager.
Board members asked each firm the same set of questions: how they will ensure designs are correct the first time to avoid unforeseen costs, how they will keep the project on schedule and under budget, how they will involve the board, staff and community in the design process, and whether the firms could incorporate outdoor learning and wellness spaces that staff said became a priority after COVID. Firms described quality-control checks, phased permitting and construction packages, thorough stakeholder engagement and examples of outdoor classrooms at other projects.
RTA warned that permitting for tree removal, possible bat habitat mitigation, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state water regulators are long-lead items that should start early. Klotfelter and DECO stressed using renderings, site visits to comparable schools and repeated review cycles to reduce change orders and unexpected costs.
The board did not select a firm at the meeting. The chair told attendees the selection will be made at the board’s next meeting, moved to 5 p.m. next Thursday because "our district scores were wonderful and we're going to have a parade to celebrate." The special meeting concluded after a voice vote to adjourn. Vote tallies on the adjournment were not specified.
