Breathitt County Elementary featured two Small Learning Communities (spaces for teacher development), a gymnasium, a tornado shelter, fenced green space, playgrounds, and an auditorium serving the entire district.
The HVAC system included a geothermal well field supporting variable-speed water-source heat pumps. Ventilation was provided by a water-cooled energy recovery unit with demand control ventilation, managed by an Aircuity indoor air quality monitoring system.
The electrical design incorporated a full LED lighting system with a networked control system for occupancy sensing, dimming, and receptacle load control to save energy. Local sound systems were installed in the cafeteria and gym, while security features included video surveillance and access-controlled doors with emergency lockdown capabilities. The auditorium featured a flexible theatrical lighting system, designed to support school and community events, and the cafeteria was reinforced to double as a storm shelter.