HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County School Board approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2024-25, multiple change orders for the new Christian County High School and a new four-year contract for Superintendent Chris Bentzel at Thursday night’s board meeting.

District Finance Director Jessica Darnell shared that expenditures in the budget include a 3% pay raise to all employees, and wage raises to employees that did not receive one in 2018. “This includes about 500 of our employees with a cost of about $700,000 to the district,” said Darnell. She also shared the continuation of a $1,000 stipend for all staff, to be paid in November.

Alliance Corporation Construction Manager Kevin Hitchel presented the board with six change orders to the consolidated Christian County High School including an expense concerning the purchase of classroom cabinets, a credit for a returned counter sill, and an expense concerning leak management. The last two change orders resulted in a net zero balance, according to Hitchel, from moving funds from one purchase order to another.

Hitchel also addressed an expense for the removal of unsuitable soil in the parking lot behind the school, and a sinkhole that has already been fixed. Hitchel says the change orders total around $67,000 and construction morale remains high on site. “We are in a very good place,” Hitchel said. “For what we spent so far on a site this size is great.”

The board approved the balance of $2 million to Alliance Corporation and $31,900 to Hafer Architects for last month’s work on the new high school.

Board Chair Tom Bell, opened discussion on Superintendent Chris Bentel’s performance. After receiving unanimous exemplary reviews from fellow board members, Bentel’s contract was extended another four years. “We appreciate everything you do for the kids and being a community leader, ” said board member Lindsey Clark.

After a closed session, the board approved Erin Westerfield to the vacant District 1 School Board seat. More information on Westerfield is forthcoming, according to CCPS.