City school board awards health clinic contract to Physicians to Children
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 — The Bardstown Board of Education approved a recommendation to award the contract to operate its on-campus health clinic to Physicians to Children.
SUPERINTENDENT BRENT HOLSCLAW
Superintendent Brent Holsclaw said the health clinic’s first year proved the concept was beneficial to the district’s staff, students and parents. The board decided in August to issue a request for proposals to determine if other medical groups were interested in operating the clinic
The final recommendation was forwarded by the Health Clinic Provider Committee to the board after the committee evaluated presentations by Physicians to Children and Bardstown Pediatrics.
Both providers gave strong presentations before the committee, Bardstown Elementary School Principal Paul Bowling told the board.
As the district’s chosen health provider, Physicians to Children will continue to operate the on-campus health clinic this school year, with an option to do so for the next two years.
A LOOK AT FUTURE FACILITY NEEDS. The Bardstown Board of Education reviewed the steps the district will take when it decides to take action and develop additional parts of its Templin Avenue campus, the old Salt River property.
Architects Justin McElfresh and Kenny Stanfield, with Sherman Carter and Barnhart Architects, reviewed the steps the board is legally required to take in order to meet the Kentucky Department of Education guidelines for new construction.
BOARD MEMBER JIM ROBY
The pair brought with them a site plan that demonstrated how the property might be developed over the years.
“The idea is that when the time comes, we’ll be be prepared to start the process” to develop the property, Holsclaw said.
McElfresh told the board that they are the ones who have the ultimate control during the five phases of any construction project they approve. “You’ll always have approvals and subsequent approvals at each point in the process,” he said.
The first phase of any construction project, from initial approval to the start of construction, can take six to eight months, he said. Construction time varies widely, but he said the average time to build a middle school for 650 students is approximately 15 months.
The review followed a previous presentation to the board last month on the process funding new building construction.
No action was taken.
WORKING BUDGET. The board approved is 2017-18 working budget, which Holsclaw said had been a frustrating process this year due to the possible funding cuts from state sources.
The state retirement system crisis is a big concern he explained, given the fact that the district’s pension contribution to the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) is anticipated to increase by approximately 50 percent in fiscal year 2019.
“I’m appreciative of what the legislators are trying to do,” Holsclaw said. “Its going to be painful for all of us. As I complain about the expense of it, I also understand the necessity of it.”
The board of education approved a plant to upgrade the softball field at the corner of West Broadway and Tiger Alley.
Holsclaw expressed his appreciation to the board for its decision to seek the full 4 percent tax revenue increase given the financial challenges the district may face in the next year.
State Sen. Jimmy Higdon will be the guest on Wednesday morning’s “Bradford & Brooks” radio show to talk about the pension issued. Tune in at 11 a.m. on WBRT 1320 AM, 97.1 FM, or catch the live video on Bardstown Cable Ch. 19.
SOFTBALL COMPLEX PROJECT. The board gave preliminary approval of a plan to significantly upgrade the softball field located at the corner of West Broadway and Tiger Alley.
Holsclaw said there was discussion about moving the field, but with the lights already installed, it made sense to upgrade the existing field.
The plan includes moving home plate forward about 25 feet to make room for bleachers that will be located behind the backstop. The proposal would remove the existing dugouts and move them further from the home plate. The concession stand will be improved in the process.
To reduce the cost of the project, the district will seek in-kind contributions for some of the demolition work, Holsclaw said. The goal is to move quickly on the project, Holsclaw said.
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