In a brief, but productive meeting Monday, Kingfisher Board of Education members made multiple moves geared for the future, both in facilities and personnel.

Among them was approving the architectural plans for the new cheer and softball facility that will be located just east of the current softball field.

That puts the wheels in motion a process that, weather permitting, could have the facility finished by October.

In an email to Superintendent Jason Sternberger, principal architect Jeff Wegener of LWPB Architecture laid out a timeline that included awarding bids in April; having bonds, insurance, contracts, permits and mobilization in place by mid-to-late April and then the beginning of construction.

Wegener said in his talks with a general contractor, the opinion was offered the facility could be finished as quickly as four-and-a-half months with six months being the most likely reality.

Board members also approved hiring two new high school science teachers for 2019-20.

Approved were Stephen Rempe and Julie Rother, both of whom have local ties.

Board members continue to discuss long-range facility planning and the possibility of a future bond issue.

Sternberger has met with teachers, administrators and a committee of citizens to discuss options to address the district’s growing enrollment and aging infrastructure.

Through those meetings, Sternberger and board members Monday were in agreement that a new middle school constructed near the current high school is the best solution.

“I tell people who ask me that it’s inevitable,” board member Jim Perdue said. “We’re going to keep growing and we have to do something about it.”

Still in its infancy, the plan would move sixth, seventh and eighth grades to the new facility while the current middle school would house elementary students.

Plans would be put in place to use Gilmour and Heritage for a combination of students, administrative offices, storage and other purposes.

“With this plan, there are no ‘wants,’” said Sternberger of possibly going to the public with a bond issue. “Everything we’d be asking for is something we need and we’d continue to invite everyone to come see our current facilities. We’ve got nowhere else to go with them.”

Sternberger said he will continue to meet with the different groups in the coming months to continue to collect information and input.

He laid out a timeline of possibly calling for a bond election at a board meeting in June or July, allowing for an election in late summer or early fall.

In other action at the 36-minute meeting, members:

• Approved encumbrances;

•  Approved annual contracts with ADPC for a financial accounting system and Employee Evaluation Systems Inc. for a teacher evaluation system;

• Discussed the recently-released school report card from the State Department of Education.