Hartselle officially has a new head softball coach.

The Hartselle Board of Education approved Robin Riley for the position of head softball coach at Hartselle High School for the 2011-2012 season, following the resignation of former coach Daniel Bates.

Riley has been with Hartselle City Schools for five years. She was an assistant coach with the junior varsity team for three years and assistant coach with the varsity team in 2011 prior to becoming the head coach this season.

The board approved Riley for the position retroactive to Feb. 1.

Jim Maynard of Martin & Cobey Construction Company Inc., project manager of the new high school, said the project is about two and a half weeks behind schedule according to its timeline.

“Considering the work is being done in the winter season, this is not uncommon and this time will be made up in the spring,” Maynard said.

When asked by board president Jennifer Sittason about the December 2012 completion date, Maynard felt this would take place.

Maynard also reported that they are site-building trusses and the roof system will be going up in the classroom section. Also at a Jan. 25 pre-roof conference, shingle and membrane drawings were approved. The next inspection will be held for above the ceiling inspections.

Freddie Lynn of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood architects said that plans for the new field house for the high school are also in the works.

School Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed also mentioned that the city of Hartselle had obtained all but one right of way acquisition for road improvements to Bethel Road.

In other school projects, Lynn also said a team will be coming to measure the roofs at Crestline Elementary and the existing high school cafeteria. As soon as that is completed, Lynn said they will prepare drawings for their repair and replacement.

Bids should be let before the end of the current school year with construction to begin as soon as school ends.

In other business, the board:

• Approved revisions to the JGF-R Gun Free Schools Policy for the final reading.

• Approved a request for the Hartselle Junior High Band to travel to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg Tenn., on February 26-28, 2012 to compete in the “Music in the Parks Festival”

• Approved the 2012-2013 school calendar.

• Approved the employment of Kyle Woodard to fill the position of agri-science teacher at Hartselle Junior High for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year.

• Heard from Reed about the compliance review of the school system. With a possible 397 citations that could occur Hartselle City Schools only received three.

• Heard from Sabrina Buettner, assistant principal of Hartselle Junior High, who gave an update to the board about recent test scores at the school. Beth Rabb also commented on the Seven Habits that the student body has worked on and the results that have occurred.

• Honored the 2011 Hartselle High state champion football team and cheerleaders. Reed, Sittason and head football coach Bob Godsey praised the efforts of both groups and the support of the community.