Architect Scott Jackson presented the proposed floor plan for the new school board office building. The plan may still be adjusted as deemed necessary by employees and the board.

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Photo/Brittany Wise A number of Wilkey students were recognized for their academic testing achievement and a school recycling project. Students who received recognition were: Phoebe Fentress, Elizabeth Goodman, Annie Kiper, Hannah Morales, Joey Paris, Trinity Preston, Landon Shiarella, Kyle Snyder, Kendra Sowders, Jacob VanMetre, Logan Wooldridge, Hunter Clemons, Emma Embry, Anna McKinney, Olivia Sweeney, Cloey Wallace, Landon Franich, Jacob Conder, Amanda Fulp, Katlyn Guyton, Mason Parker, Ethan Priddy, Thane Troublefield, Chloe Paddack, Taya Parsons, Cooper Terry, Jordan Cook, Allie Franich, James Hill, Paul Overton, Davis Parker, Nathan VanMeter, Jerrick Williams, Josh Krom, Dalsin Steevnson, Cameron Collins, and Joseph Parker.

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School Board members took a look at the plans for the new school district office building, which architect Scott Jackson presented at the regular board meeting on Thursday evening.

Jackson, who is with the Lexington firm Clotfelter-Samokar, explained that “a few small changes” are likely. Superintendent Barry Anderson added that one such potential change could be the addition of a fitness room.

“We have an emphasis on health and fitness,” Anderson said, adding that the addition would be contingent upon additional employee surveys, but that if enough employees are interested, a space-conscious 24-hour facility would be seriously considered.

Jackson also suggested the addition of solar panel window shades on the south side of the building. Using a solar panel would not add to the cost of the shade, he said, but would serve to reduce energy costs for the building.

The group heavily discussed storage space, which has been at a serious premium in the current building, and debated whether some open-space offices should be closed. Jackson said that the considered changes will not effect the building’s overall size of approximately 12,000 square feet.

The current Brandenburg Road office is about half that size, not counting the bus garage, which will remain where it is rather than being moved to the new location.

The rationale for leaving the buses where they are, Anderson explained, comes from a need to conserve space at the new site which will likely be needed for the eventual construction of a new elementary and high school on the same plot.

“You’ve got one chance to build it, and you’ve got to get it as close to right as you can,” Anderson said, encouraging any suggestions that board members or employees might have.

In other school board news:

-The board gave the floor to H. W. Wilkey Elementary School Principal Gwen Lucas, who took a few moments to surprise staff members Jennifer Logsdon and Donita Ashley with recognition for their efforts with the Toyota bornlearning Academy program, which was begun this year with a generous grant from the Toyota company.

Lucas also recognized a number of students for their academic testing achievements and for their recycling efforts.

- As they began their new terms in on the board, members elected a Chairperson, Carolyn Thomason; and Vice Chairperson, Valeria Hayes-Hicks. They also appointed as secretary Superintendent Barry Anderson.