Superintendent: roofing complete, $200,000 SECO LED grant awarded; bond election set for May 2

Superintendent Gary Waitman reported several facilities and finance updates at the Paducah ISD board meeting on April 23.

"We have been awarded the $200,000 SECO LED retrofit Lighting Grant," Waitman told the board, saying the grant will lower monthly electric costs and that Excel Energy Group will return May 5 to confirm the previously completed audit and the scope of fall 2026 work. He also stated that the roofing project on the main building is complete and that roof replacement or repairs on district-owned residences on 12th Street and 16th Street will begin as soon as feasible; the walk-in freezer roof will be replaced in the near future.

Waitman reminded the board that a school bond election is slated for Saturday, May 2, 2026, and recited key early-voting dates and the first-day turnout: April 20 was the first day of in-person early voting with 71 in-person ballots and two by-mail ballots received (73 total); April 21 had no early voting due to the statewide San Jacinto Day observance; April 28 is the last day of early voting in person.

Separately, Waitman reported County Judge Karl Holloway had asked whether the district would be willing to sell an 80-acre tract in Dunlap that the county and school jointly own; the property is landlocked with no public access and the county would like to retain water and mineral rights while splitting administrative sale costs with the district. Waitman said more information would be forthcoming.

No votes were taken on the Dunlap tract at the meeting; the land-sale inquiry was presented for board consideration and future action.