The Barbourville Board of Education awarded the low bid for the renovation of the elementary school building at its meeting on February 19, 2002. The renovation of the building, which was built in 1959 at a cost of $150,000, is scheduled to begin around April 1, 2002. The renovation will replace the asbestos tile in the floors, replace windows with energy efficient windows, replace both boys’ and girls’ bathrooms and make them handicap accessible, put in drop ceilings in all classrooms, install central heat and air conditioning in the building with each class room to have its own thermostat, renovate the work room, teachers’ lounge, principal’s office, install walk-in coolers for the cafeteria, install new wiring and cables, and provide other state-of-the-art improvements to meet 2002 standards and codes.
     The winning low bid was submitted by D.W. Wilburn Inc. of Lexington, Kentucky for $992,000. Bob Green Construction of Middlesboro came in at $1,097,400 and Hacker Brothers of Corbin bid $1,203,645.
     The renovation of the elementary school is expected to be completed by Labor Day, 2002. The current school year will end on May 8, 2002 providing an extended construction season.