A ceremonial groundbreaking was conducted on the afternoon of March 25th at the Barbourville Elementary building on School Street. The renovation on the part of the structure which was completed in 1959 and currently houses the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades is scheduled to be totally revamped by Labor Day, 2002. The cost for the actual construction and renovation is $992,000.00 and is being done by D.W. Wilburn Construction Company of Lexington. Architects for the renovation are Ross-Tarrant & Associates of Lexington.
     The completion of the renovation will bring the total elementary building up to current standards for school facilities. Energy-efficient windows, new classroom doors, floor tile, and acoustical ceiling tile will all be installed. The boys’ and girls’ restrooms will be totally removed and rebuilt to meet all standards required for the handicapped. The principal’s office and workrooms will be renovated. Electrical and data wiring will be updated as well as fresh paint applied to the facilities. This project also will include installation of a walk-in cooler system for the cafeteria. The entire building will have central heating, air-conditioning, and new plumbing piping installed. Superintendent Larry Warren said, “This is an exciting day for the students at Barbourville and when the mobile unit is eventually removed and new classrooms put in its place that the campus will be complete from North Main to Sycamore streets.”