Bids for the beginning phases of a $10 million bond project have been received by the Warren County R-III School District for review.Superintendent Jim Chandler shared the specifics during the monthly board meeting Jan. 12.For the phase delegated Package No. 1, School District Maintenance Facility Addition, nine bids were received.The district administration and project team are currently reviewing the bid proposals and will conduct interviews with the lowest bidders. A recommendation is expected to be made to the board during a special meeting scheduled for Jan. 19.As for Package No. 2, Multiple Schools, Additions and Renovations, a number of bids were received Jan. 10. Six general contractors had bid documents, with three bids being received.The administration and project team began reviewing those proposals and interviewing low bidders Jan. 17. A recommendation is expected to be made during that Jan. 19 special meeting.Course offeringsThe board also addressed changes it has made to the course guide for both Black Hawk Middle School and Warrenton High School.The middle school proposed the addition of an eighth-grade semester elective class titled Exploring Agriculture to meet the growing interest for careers in agriculture. The budget request for consumable items each year is expected to be around $500.Exploring Agriculture is a general literacy course designed to explore and stimulate interest in the world of agriculture, during which students will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of agriculture in their daily lives.In addition, the high school will be adding a full-term course titled Computer Science Principles as part of its Project Lead the Way offerings. The course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration.Warrenton High School also will be adding an engineering design and development class into its PLTW curriculum. Students will identify issues and then research, design and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers.Warren County R-III School District