NEW LEWIS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TO BREAK GROUND

Students attending Lewis County High School in the fall of 2025 will be excited to learn they'll be able to do so in a brand new building! The Lewis County School board met at the Lewis County Court House in a special called meeting this evening, November 20, 2023, to discuss the details of and approve to accept the bid of construction on the new high school. Lewis County Schools held a public bid opening on November 3, 2023 regarding the construction of the new High School. Bids were submitted by three construction companies. Architects for the project, Lyle Cook Martin and Associations, along with Construction Advisor/Projects Manager Gary and Jesse Clardy, conducted an extensive conversation with Nabholz Construction who provided the lowest bid, thoroughly vetted them for this project, and have recommended that Lewis County Schools enter into a contract with Nabholz Construction for the new build. The total cost of the project is estimated at $41,999,346 (excluding interest over the next 40 years). The Lewis County Board of Commissioners agreed and approved the following: * The total estimated cost of the new High School project is $41,999,346, of which Lewis County Schools shall make a down payment of $13,000,000, as well as $999,346 from ESSER funds. * Lewis County Government will borrow the remaining $28,000,000 from the USDA on behalf of Lewis County Schools, of which the annual payment of approximately $1,098,114 over the next 40 years will be made entirely by Lewis County Schools. * Lewis County Schools will make this estimated payment of $1,098,114 to the USDA each year over the next 40 years, via Lewis County Government, with the $725,000 it has already been budgeting for this loan payment, along with an additional $373,114, from the revenue the school system is receiving from the quarter-cent sales tax increase approved by Lewis County voters in August of 2022. NO NEW TAXES WILL EVER BE APPROVED TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT. Mayor Jonah Keltner commended the tax payers, school board, Director McAbee, and everyone who came before and saved in such a way that this could be accomplished. There will be a ground breaking held on January 8th, with a build completion date of July 27, 2025. Cody Mitchell Jonah Keltner - Lewis County Mayor Angela Leigh Aren Ragsdale Paula Dyer 8th District School Board Caleb Feichtinger Glenda Atkinson Houston Hamblin Lindsey Alford Himes