Rison Gym Construction Could Start in June

RISON - Construction on the new gym at the Rison School campus could begin as early as June, Superintendent Davy King told the Cleveland County School Board during its regular monthly meeting Monday night.King gave the board a timeline concerning the sale of the constructions bonds, the school district’s application for $2.7 million in state partnership money to support the project, and the completing the architectural plans for the new gym.King said he has been in contact with Jason Holsclaw of Stephens, Inc., the district’s financial adviser, about starting the process to secure the construction bonds that will provide the money for the project. Holsclaw will have the resolution authorizing the sale of the bonds ready for the board to act on during its January meeting. After that, the bonds will be put out for bid.The bond issue, which is being funded through the 6-mill tax increase approved by voters last month, is for $13,165,000. According the ballot measure, that amount will be used to pay off the district’s existing debt while providing about $12 million in construction funds.By the school board’s meeting on Feb. 9, King said the board will consider the bond bids and approve the execution of the bond documents. There will be a 30-day contest period after that and the bonds should close March 12. King said Holsclaw informed him the district should receive the bond money by the end of March.In a related matter, King said he has also reached out to Scotty Holderfield, the school facilities manager for the Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative, to begin the process of accepting the partnership money offered by the state. The Cleveland County School District has been awarded $2,707,623 in partnership funding for the new gym and $138,714.14 to help build a secure entrance to Rison Elementary. King said the district is accepting the partnership money for both projects.Once the project agreement for the partners...