To that end, BSISD trustees began dealing with preliminary details pertaining to the bond during their monthly meeting Thursday evening.

On May 10, voters will decide whether to authorize slightly more than $34 million in construction and renovation projects. Centerpieces of the plan are a new elementary school and a new roof and science labs at the high school.

With the overall price tag as high as it is, officials are cognizant of the need to save money where feasible. Therefore, they began preliminary discussions on a pair of items related to the bond project — hiring an architect and purchasing the necessary land.

“Instead of waiting to see if the bond issue passes, then finding an architect ... we can go through some of the preliminary steps now and save the taxpayers some money,” BSISD Superintendent Michael Downes said.

The architectural and engineering firm of Parkhill, Smith and Cooper is the leading candidate for the architect’s job, if board member comments are any indication.

Downes pointed out that PSC has assisted the district on a variety of projects, including recent renovations at the high school gymnasium, so local officials would definitely be dealing with a known quantity.

“We can stay with PSC ... but if the board desires to look at other firms, we’d have to go through a ‘request for qualifications’ process, which would take some time,” Downes said.

Board member Tony Kennedy voiced support for using PSC, an opinion echoed by Board President Alan Partee.

“We need to start working with them on the preliminary details,” Partee said. “The whole purpose of this is not to fall behind if we can avoid it.”

Trustees discussed land purchases during a closed meeting, but took no action.

In other business, trustees approved: