BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin County Board of Education on Monday awarded a $24,069,161 construction contract for the new Martin County Elementary School during a special meeting in Inez.

Rising Sun Developing, based in Lexington, submitted the low bid and got the BOE’s nod for the project.

Board member Lorna Cassady asked whether the bid would cover “everything inside and outside” the building, including furnishings.

Schools Superintendent Larry James said the contract includes all components of the building and its contents.

“We will have to bid the blacktop separately,” James said.

He added that another portion of the project will be funded separately.

“Head Start is going to pay for Head Start’s playground,” said James. “That will be later on.”

Site preparation work by Bizzack Construction is progressing on Holly Branch in Inez under a nearly $4 million contract.

Early projections indicate the school construction could begin in April.