Twenty-four subcontractors will be piecing together the new $12.7 million Bristow Elementary School.

Alliance Corp, which serves as construction manager for the project, presented the Warren County School Board with a list of the lowest bids it received from various subcontractors for work on the school.

In an unprecedented move, the board approved the bids to multiple contractors rather than one general contractor, in a move that should save the district money. Contractors had to submit bids where they agreed to be responsible for additional unforeseen costs, such as if extra rock is discovered on the land being excavated for the school.

The board already faced that challenge in the construction of the new South Warren Middle and High School, when contractor D.W. Wilburn of Lexington requested a change order for $994,000 from the board to pay for removal of rock discovered mid-construction at the school’s site.

The new Bristow school, next to the current building on Louisville Road, is anticipated to be a “net zero” building that will eliminate its energy consumption costs by producing “clean energy” with solar panels.

Like the new Richardsville Elementary School also under construction, the school has reduced its energy consumption to a minimum and will essentially sell clean energy to the power company that will not only pay for all utility costs but will eventually produce a profit. The board is currently awaiting approval for a national grant to help fund the solar panels.

The schools are both registered through the National Resources Defense Council as LEED schools, which recognizes building sustainability and building projects that are truly green, according to the organization’s Web site. Both could achieve Platinum status for their sustainability - a recognition less than 10 percent of buildings in the nation receive, said architect Kenny Stanfield of Sherman, Carter and Barnhart.

Many board members questioned the low bids that will price the new 81,589 square-foot Bristow Elementary at $162.16 per square foot (including Allied’s $418,623 fee and builder’s risk insurance for $27,000) when the Richardsville Elementary project, a 73,707 square-foot building, is contracted at $170.18 per square foot. The $12.7 million Bristow Elementary cost even includes the cost of demolishing the current building.

Tim Geegan, vice president for construction management with Alliance, explained that bids have come in substantially lower than they have historically because contractors need work during the hard economic times and would like their equipment and employees moving even if they don’t reap a profit.

Willie McElroy, chief financial officer for the school district, said bids were coming in around $210 per square foot this time last year.

Stanfield said once the Kentucky Department of Education approves the bid contracts, he expects to break ground in the next two weeks.

The Aquatic Center, which appears almost complete just next to the school board office on Lovers Lane, is about a month from 100 percent completion, Stanfield said.

During the meeting, the board saw photos of the pool area, which is receiving final grouting touches on the tile floor. Plastic flutters in the archways where doors and windows will soon seal the project that was originally slated to be completed in December.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the tentative budget projection for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The budget is “projected on a worst-case scenario,” according to McElroy, and includes a 1 percent pay increase for employees effective July 1. The school district will realize some additional revenue from property taxes - $590,378 more than last year, but other hardships are outlined.

The budget anticipates a reduction in Support Education Excellence in Kentucky funding of 4 percent, or $1.7 million. Other expenses include $200,000 allocated to repave parking lots, $2.4 million to start up South Warren Middle and High School and $504,000 for 12 new teachers.

The board also approved allowing the City of Bowling Green to use an easement for a new road from the Greenwood Lane, Cyprus Wood Lane intersection to Iron Skillet Court. If approved by the Kentucky Department of Education, the road will provide another Scottsville Road connection to Greenwood High and Drakes Creek Middle schools.

Also during the meeting: