The Purcell Public Schools Board of Education met Friday afternoon in a special meeting to vote on bids for the district’s planned FEMA shelter and gym.

The board voted to accept numerous bids for the project, while also seeking a re-bid on the plumbing package.

Purcell Superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo said they think the project will take about 18 months to finish.

“It’s on schedule and won’t impact school this year,” she said. “It may disrupt traffic at the school at some point next year but we’ll communicate with parents when we get closer. We’ll do everything we can not to disrupt school instruction.”

The FEMA rated shelter and competition basketball gym, located at the Junior High School were approved as a part of a $19.465 million bond proposal approved by voters last August by a nearly 80% margin.

The cost of the gym was estimated to be about $4.945 million.