Construction projects and possible proration were on the mind of Butler County Schools Superintendent Mike Looney on Tuesday.

Looney spoke with members of the Greenville Kiwanis Club.

The new construction at W.O Parmer in Greenville, a $6 million project, continues not only on time, “but under budget, would you believe it,” Looney said.

The Parmer project should be ready for the 2009-2010 school year.

At Greenville Middle School, which was completely gutted and redone from flooring to ceiling, the second phase has been completed, the superintendent said.

“It was close having it ready for school opening, but we did it,” Looney said.

“If you haven’t been over there, it is absolutely beautiful.”

He said the new K-12 school construction in Georgiana is also on schedule and under budget.

“I am amazed at how much progress they are making. The weather has been great for construction, if not for our farmers,” Looney said.

He admits paying visits to school construction sites “with a level and tape measure.”

“They have taken down four walls in Georgiana so far – they aren’t used to a superintendent doing that,” Looney said with a grin.

“We want our boys and girls to have the opportunity to go to school in a respectable environment and to respect that environment.”

The superintendent also expressed his gratitude to the taxpayers of Butler County for making the school construction projects possible.

Looney made reference to Amendment 1, which will be featured on the Nov. 4 ballot.

“I do believe we are facing proration. The passage of this amendment will change how much money we can borrow from the oil fund reserves. Right now, it is six percent of the 2002 budget,” Looney said. “With the passage of Amendment 1, this will be updated to six percent of the 2006 budget. I do encourage you to read up on this and consider voting for it.”