County BOE OKs central office bid
Morgan County Board of Education approved a low bid of $2.1 million from Woodward Construction of Hartselle to construct a new central office facility on Alabama 67 in Priceville.
The action was taken at a regular board meeting Thursday night.
Construction is scheduled to start within three to four working days of a contract award and be completed by July 31, according to Kevin Gunnison, project manager for Volkert Inc.
A bid opening on a new Morgan County Schools transportation and maintenance facility was scheduled Jan. 13.
Gunnison reported that progress continues to be made on the construction of a new 800-student high school in Priceville, a new athletic facility at Brewer and renovations and additions to Falkville High School.
In a work session prior to the meeting, Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr. reported that steps have been taken to eliminate a condensation issue in four classrooms at Union Hill School.
He said the appearance of “spots” on the walls of the classrooms before the Christmas holidays prompted an inspection by Serv-Pro and testing by Terrell Technology. After tests showed poor overhead ventilation caused the “spots,” a company was brought in to clean the rooms, and a plan was initiated to the install a ventilation system.
“Nothing was found that would cause harm to our students,” Hopkins said.
The school’s PTO president spoke to the board about the issue during their regular meeting.
“I represent parents who are concerned about poor air quality in the classrooms,” she stated. “We want to find a permanent solution and request you to provide us an action plan at your next meeting,”
In other business, the board:
• Paid Peck-Glasgow Agency $1,139 for a new public official bond for Hopkins, $350 for renewal of a public official bond for chief schools financial officer John Godwin and $1,662 for renewal of a bond for employee dishonesty.
• Approved a request from PHS baseball coach Shane Hopkins to hold a one-day baseball camp Mon., Jan. 19.
• Approved a low bid of $58,900.26 from Specialty Products for a paint booth and paint mixing room for Brewer High, using 21st Century Workforce funds.
• Approved a low bid of $44,760.09 from Sexton Welding for multipurpose welders for Brewer High, using 21st Century Workforce funds.
In personnel action, the board:
• Accepted notices of retirement from Brewer custodian William Brent Boyer effective Jan. 19 and maintenance worker Greg Sharp effective Feb. 1.
• Accepted the resignations of countywide nurse Anita Fisher and countywide career tech counselor Callie Rutherford Terry.
• Approved salary in lieu of sick leave for Sparkman teacher Rhonda Corder. She was injured on the job.
• Hired Johnathan Gibson, Phillip Hardin, Jeremy Shaddix and Jeff Griffis as a countywide bus drivers; Tammy Moss as a countywide school nurse LPN; and Elizabeth Stroud Jackson as a PHS general science teacher.
• Approved employee supplementary contracts with Joshua Scott and William Eason as FHS assistant baseball coaches and Meaghan Gray as FHS assistant softball coach.