There’s been continued progress being made on the $35.48-million project with the Greene County School District.

The School Board met in special session Wednesday where the Board approved opening up a separate checking account at Home State Bank for capital funds for when construction begins. The Board also approved equally splitting the certificate of deposits for the $15.98-million in general obligation bonds between Home State Bank and Peoples Bank.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, the Board approved Janney Montgomery Scott of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an interest rate of 3.37-percent to purchase the first bonds. Superintendent Tim Christensen noted that it was a successful bidding process with six other bidders and their financial consultant, Piper Jaffrey, pointed out that the district had an excellent bond rating.

“As far as our bond rating, before they go and sell those, we had a phone conversation with Standard and Poor and we had an A+ rating is what we had. So that’s something that again the bidders look at when they determine whether they are going to bid on the bonds.”

Another area that will be finalized in September is the purchase of the 80-acres of land west of American Athletic Incorporated, south of Highway 30. The land is owned by Mike and Kathy Bravard. The district is currently negotiating with the Bravards in a 1031 Exchange program.

Christensen points out the OPN Architects are also in town today and tomorrow revisiting the same focus groups to show their preliminary designs for what the new high school and career academy will look like and get feedback before presenting conceptual drawings to the public sometime next month.