The new chairman

of the Fayette County Board of Education is two-year member Mickey Littlefield.

The five-member

board met for its first meeting of the new year Monday night with three

new members: Marion Key, Terri Smith and Janet Smola. Vice Chairman Greg

Powers will retain that position for the coming year.

Following the

brief called session, the board went into a work session to hear presentations

from six firms offering project management services for the upcoming school

construction program.

A new elementary

school is first on the list to be built. A new high school and two additional

elementary schools, plus improvements at older existing facilities, will

follow. The total project will take about five years to complete, with

a cost of $72 million.

A bond referendum

totalling $65 million was passed by voters in the Nov. 7 general election.

The difference between the $65 million and $72 million will be made up

in interest over the five-year plan.

In order to

keep the project "on time" and "on budget," the board

is considering hiring an individual or firm to oversee the construction

of the new schools.

Monday, they

heard proposals from Jefferson Browne Consultants, Seckinger Design Associates

Inc., MB Kahn Construction, Parsons Brinckerhoff, DWB Architects and Engineering,

and Beers Construction Co.