The Covington County School board on Tuesday OK’d the low bid for the new addition at Straughn Elementary School.

Diversified General Contractors bid $1.8 million.

Superintendent Shannon Driver said they had budgeted $1.6 million to $1.7 million for the addition, and are working with architect Walter McKee to get the cost down.

“We hope to cut the cost some with modifications,” he said. “We hope to get a better price with some price negotiation.”

Driver said they plan to have a metal roof structure like the current buildings.

“We won’t compromise the building with these modifications in any way,” he said.

Driver said McKee estimates he can have contracts ready by the end of the week.

“We are not going to borrow any money. We plan to use capital outlay money and some money in the general fund.”

Even with using the money, Driver said they will still have a good operating reserve balance.

The new building will house pre-K with eight classrooms on the backside of the elementary school.

The plans also call for a storm shelter for the area which would hold elementary school and middle school students in the event of severe weather.