Six Kenton County elementary schools are under construction at once, with three projects nearing completion and two others facing cost overruns totaling more than $3.5 million.

The projects are part of the district's 2023-2027 facilities plan, which calls for upgrades to all 17 Kenton County schools and a new central office. Newport-based architecture firm Emboss Design submitted progress reports to the Kenton County Board of Education for its Sept. 8 meeting, LINK nky reported.

Chief Operations Officer Matt Rigg told LINK nky the district is on track to complete the full plan. "The big thing is to provide a world-class education, and you have to have world-class facilities," Rigg said.

The combined price tags for the six active projects exceed $99 million, financed largely through roughly $60 million in general obligation bonds the board approved May 4.

Here is where each project stands.

River Ridge Elementary, Villa Hills: A $4.8 million parking loop and lot expansion is 93.8% complete as of Wednesday, Sept. 9. The project started in March and was scheduled to finish in August. The new loop holds 150 cars and the lot holds 90, easing congestion along Amsterdam Road during pick-up and drop-off. The board voted unanimously to approve the construction bid with Ashley Builders Group in February, according to board minutes.

R.C. Hinsdale Elementary, Edgewood: A two-phase, $26.4 million renovation is nearly 90% complete and scheduled to finish in December. The work, which started in May 2025, added a new art classroom, conference room, student health room, staff office and entryway. Phase two brought a new main entrance, acoustic ceiling panels, new flooring, an expanded parking lot and HVAC and roofing upgrades.

White's Tower Elementary, Independence: A $13 million interior remodel that started in May 2025 is also set for a December finish. The project includes HVAC and roofing upgrades, office renovations, rear parking lot work and new outdoor canopies.

Ryland Heights Elementary: An interior remodel that started in March is scheduled for completion in August 2027. The project covers HVAC, roofing, lighting, plumbing and the school's lagoon sewage system, plus classroom furnishings and kitchen equipment. The budget grew from $11.7 million at the end of 2025 to nearly $13 million because of rising construction costs, according to district documents.

Kenton Elementary, Independence: A $22.1 million remodel began in June and targets an August 2027 finish for most interior work. The gymnasium remodel will follow, with a December 2027 completion date. Rigg told LINK nky the gym work cannot start until other renovations wrap up because the gymnasium is housing displaced classrooms. Monarch Construction won the bid, per May board minutes.

Taylor Mill Elementary: Interior and exterior renovations began in June and are slated to finish at the end of 2027. Costs rose from $18.1 million to $20.3 million because of rising construction costs, according to the district. Monarch Construction also won this bid. When the board approved design plans in February, Superintendent Henry Webb told LINK nky the gym remodels at Kenton Elementary and Taylor Mill would "modernize those gymnasiums and make them much safer."