The process to build a new Highland Elementary School is officially underway, marking the first major step in a project that has been years in the making.
Daviess County Public Schools board members on Thursday approved the initial BG-1, a formal application for capital construction projects that utilize restricted funds or involve professional design work. The approval of that application officially launches the replacement process for Highland.
Below is the original story with background information on the project and where the new building may be constructed. The story was written earlier this week following the BG-1 proposal to the board during their luncheon.
Background on Highland’s status
The Local Planning Committee (LPC) first listed Highland as the district’s top priority in 2021, citing a need for major renovations and additions. When the LPC reconvened in January 2022, the building was reclassified as “Transitional.”
That designation meant the school could no longer undergo large-scale renovations or repairs. Only essential health-and-safety projects — such as replacing an HVAC unit if it fails — could be carried out. Entire system overhauls or major building improvements are prohibited once a facility is deemed transitional.
“They felt that instead of renovating the school building, a new one made more fiscal sense,” DCPS Finance Director Sara Harley of the LPC’s decision. “Once a building is classified as ‘Transitional,’ it is marked to be replaced.”
Broughton added, “We’re now 3 years removed from that January 2022 decision, and this board seems poised to move forward with approving that initial BG-1. Nothing is finalized until Thursday night, but if approved, that would start the process of eventually replacing Highland Elementary with a new building.”
What approval means
If the board approves the BG-1, the district will be able to issue a request for proposal (RFP) to hire an architect and potentially a construction manager. Those professionals would then guide the board through the design process and provide cost estimates.
Broughton said while board members may have some ideas in mind of design concepts, nothing has been put on paper and won’t be determined for several months.
“If the board moves forward Thursday night and approves the BG-1, they intend to visit surrounding districts to see what’s new,” he said. “I fully anticipate they’ll look at the new Warren County Elementary, for example. They’ll want to do their due diligence — look at different designs, see newly constructed buildings, and then, in conjunction with the architect and construction manager, begin the real work of design and layout.”
Harley said the district does not yet have an estimated cost for the project.
“Once we hire an architect, they will help us estimate the costs,” she said. “That will be a revised BG-1, which will also be approved by the board.”
The project will be funded through a bond, with payments made from the district’s Building Fund — which can only be used for construction, facilities, and bond payments.
Location still undetermined
The question of where the new Highland will be built also remains open. In 2023, then-Superintendent Matt Robbins indicated the district intended to place the new building on land directly behind the new Daviess County Middle School, with the two schools backing up to one another — DCMS facing Fairview Drive and Highland facing Calumet Trace. The district purchased the property facing Calumet at the same time as the DCMS site.
Robbins said at the time the location would benefit both students and the district, since Highland is a feeder school for DCMS. Equally important, he added, was getting away from KY 54.
Broughton said the current board is considering two sites.
“One option would be building in front of the existing Highland, which would allow students to continue in the current building until the new one is finished, and then the old building could be torn down,” he said. “The other option is to build on the land that runs next to Calumet Trace, behind DCMS. It’s fair to say it will be one of those two, but it has not been finalized.”
The Calumet Trace site measures about 11.5 acres, while the current Highland property is approximately 14.5 acres, Broughton said.
“Either site could work for an elementary school,” Broughton said. “I have confidence the board will weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. They’ll want to gather facts, look at traffic flow, and make sure the location is the best for the school and the community.”
Next step
For now, the project awaits Thursday’s vote. If the board approves the BG-1, the project will move into its first official stage.
The DCPS board meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Central Office.
