The Boyle County Board of Education voted in a special meeting Wednesday to hire Branscum W Rogers to build the new Boyle County Middle School at a cost of $34.8 million to the school district.

“They were the low bidder and they’ve got a very strong reputation,” said Superintendent Mike LaFavers.

The project will include the cost of food service equipment and a fly loft in the theater; it also includes a right of way, which the district will be reimbursed for by the city, and a preferred HVAC system — a TRANE system that comes at no additional cost from the contractor.

The total cost of the project is approximately $30.4 million, plus $4.3 million in “soft costs,” such as project service fees.

Before making their selection, LaFavers said the district conducted site visits and checked on previous work the company had done.

“We saw with our own eyes that the stuff they’ve built is good. Their reputation is strong,” he said. “And they were the lowest bidder.”

The board voted to table a few alternatives, such as a courtyard and finishing of the theater with lighting, electric and seating.

“We think if we price (the theater) out individually, we might find cost-savings there,” LaFavers said. “We’re still pursuing that work being done, but finding ways of saving costs.”

The board has a 60-days window within which members can vote to change the alternates.

LaFavers said they expect the ground-breaking in the middle of January.

The new middle school is slated to open in 2019.