(WKYT) Kentucky schools with planned construction projects saw the price tag jump due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The General Assembly allocated $130 million to these projects with the promise that the other 50% would be distributed this year. Some districts say they can’t move forward without that money.
Harrison County Public Schools has seen construction costs increase by more than 80% since the pandemic as it works to build its new high school.
“I think when we did our original planning, we planned at about $275 a square foot, and today, High School construction is over $500 per square foot,” said state Sen. Stephen West, R-Ky. District 27.
The original $130 million was enough to complete six school projects across the state, but seven sit unfinished, waiting for the final 50%, or roughly $102 million in total.
“And so they relied on that to sign contracts and actually get construction started and with the full faith that that second round would be provided, and I’m hoping that we can provide that second round and finish the job,” West said.
Harrison County is looking to move everything to a central campus, which would involve closing the three elementary schools. Superintendent Harry Burchett said the move could save more than $1 million a year, considering the costs of operating much older buildings.
“The total age of our school facilities is 438 years. That’s over 62 years of average age per building,” Burchett said.