The Bowling Green Board of Education on Tuesday hired Ross-Tarrant Architects to design multiple school projects.

The board gave unanimous approval for Superintendent Joe Tinius to negotiate a contract with the Lexington-based architectural firm for the major projects listed in the school system’s district facilities plan.

&#8220Ross-Tarrant was at the top because they have all that depth of expertise,” said board member Dianne Howerton. &#8220They also have in-depth knowledge of our school district.”

The planned projects include a new elementary school to replace T.C. Cherry, and renovations and additions to Bowling Green High School and Dishman-McGinnis and Potter Gray elementary schools. The projects, Tinius said, are projected to cost between $14 million and $15 million.

&#8220This gave the architects an idea of the scope of work,” Tinius said. &#8220We may get the first two or three done and find money won’t go any further or other projects might jump in front. But we feel we have a window to start these projects now, and we feel we need to move on them.”

Tinius said if the board is looking at T.C. Cherry to be built and open by August 2009, the architects need to start this summer in the planning and design work. He said the work for projects at Potter Gray Elementary also need to be planned now.

He said they don’t want the architect to be on a tight deadline, and starting now would give them enough time to complete the projects in case of a hard winter or wet spring.

Seven architectural firms sent proposals to the school district.

Including Ross-Tarrant, four – JKS Architects Engineers of Hopkinsville, Clotfelter/Samokar of Lexington and RBS Design Group – were in-state firms and three were out-of-state – Intek Inc. of Evansville, Ind., Rufus Johnson Associates of Clarksville, Tenn., and Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects Inc. of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Board member Deborah Williams said although she was familiar with Kaatz, Binkley, Jones & Morris Architects Inc.’s work, she was concerned that the firm hadn’t done any work within Kentucky.

The board discussed the fee schedule negotiations for the architect, which was not included in the proposals.

Typically the board would use a fee guideline recommended from the state Department of Education. Regina Jackson, the board’s attorney, said the board can negotiate the fee percentage, but said if they do so they should be careful.

&#8220You basically get what you pay for,” she said. &#8220Other districts have seen problems when they’ve negotiated the percentage.”

She said the board could opt to pay one lump sum or hourly, but most school districts stick to the fee schedule.

Tinius said the fees, which have not yet been negotiated, will be paid monthly.

Bowling Green City Schools has not had major renovations or construction since Parker-Bennett-Curry was built in 2003, which was under the direction of Ross-Tarrant. The architect firm has had its hand on many of the city schools projects, including Bowling Green Junior High and renovations at the high school, Dishman-McGinnis, and has done consulting work for the school system as well.

&#8220Looking at our financial situation, I think we will be OK,” Tinius said. &#8220We feel we have a realistic chance to get this done in the next three to four years. With the bond opportunities we have and the money on hand to pay the debt service, we feel we can handle these projects.”