A $2.5 million addition will be constructed onto Knox High School beginning this fall that will better assist students who participate in Vocational/Career and Technical Education classes.
Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart commented that the money left over from the bond will go toward the cost of the 10,000 square foot addition, as well as the ESSER II grant as part of the federal government’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
It will host a state-of-the-art welding lab, Robotics classes, a newly-reinstated agricultural program, and additional programming space located on the southwest corner of the high school.
The welding instructor will still be hired by SCILL Center officials and the program facilitated by the SCILL Center.Â
The welding and robotics classes are currently held in the Knox Middle School, but students will have more space in the addition.
Dr. Reichhart noted that the agricultural program will start in the upcoming school year, but when the construction is done in 2022, the program will move into the new space for the 2022-2023 school year.
The new construction will feature a secure entrance where students from other schools participating in these program cannot freely enter the Knox High School itself.
Dr. Reichhart told WKVI News that the school board members approved the construction plans after a lengthy discussion and after many questions from the board members Monday night. The agriculture program was also unanimously approved by the board.
Groundbreaking for the project should be in September of this year. Bids for the project are anticipated to be let this summer. Larson-Danielson officials will remain as the Construction Management Contractor as they are currently working on a construction project at the school corporation.
Dr. Reichhart stressed that the project will not cost the taxpayers any additional money.
