A $1.3 million capital improvement plan for school year 2013-2014 was approved by the Morgan County School Board at a Capital Improvements Committee meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Capital Needs suggested by superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr. included the replacement of windows in old schools throughout the system, paving of a graveled area on the west side of the football field at Falkville High School, a vocational building at Lacey’s Spring School, additions and renovations to Falkville High School and funding for a five-year system-wide capital improvement plan, prepared by an independent contractor.

He pointed out that replacement windows in the schools, where needed, would conserve energy and paving at the Falkville football stadium would eliminate a liability by making it handicap accessible.

He pointed out that a five-year capital plan by an outside source would give the school board an objective view of what and where capital projects are needed.

Board member Billy Rhodes threw out the idea of purchasing 50 acres of land up for sale adjoining the West Morgan campus, keeping in mind that the area is growing in population and will need a larger high school in the not-too-distant future.

“The property is part of a 120-acre estate and I have reason to believe it can be bought at a good price,” Rhodes said. “The Town of Trinity is willing to do its part to provide needed infrastructure.”

“I agree it’s a good idea to look ahead as far as future school sites go,” Hopkins said. “We don’t want to be landlocked at any of our schools if we can prevent it.”

An ongoing problem with a leaking sewer line at Eva School during heavy rain events was another need brought up for discussion by board member Paul Holmes.

Holmes said Eva’s volunteer fire department has offered to pump water through the sewer line in order to expose the leak.

The capital Improvement projects are listed by priority as follows:

•Information technology (countywide), $130,000

•Replacement roofing (countywide), $250,000

•Priceville High School project, $25 million

•Danville High School office/entrance project, $500,000

•West Morgan Elementary School addition, (no cost estimate)

•Brewer athletic facility, $1.3 million

•Window replacements countywide (no cost estimate)

•Land purchases for future school sites, $750,000

•Falkville High School additions and renovations, $15 million

•Old Priceville High School renovations (no cost estimate)

•Lacey’s Spring vocational building, $150,000

•Cotaco gym floor replacement, $25,000