The Pike County Board of Education reviewed the architectural plans for the Pike County High School Art Center and heard a presentation by Stephanie Snyder regarding school technology initiatives at its Monday meeting.

Chuck Jones, of Godwin Jones Architecture, brought the board up to date on the progress of several of the school system’s ongoing capital projects.

Jones said the window replacement project involving three buildings is near completion and the re-roofing project involving five buildings is underway.

The gymnasium project at Goshen High School is ready to go out for bids and the final plans for the Pike County High School Art Center are prepared and ready.

Jones said the 8,500-square-foot Art Center will include a multi-purpose room that will seat about 200 and facilities for art, drama and choral classes.

The board approved the final plan for the Art Center giving the architects the go-ahead for the next step in making the Art Center a reality.

Snyder’s presentation included technology that is being developed in the Pike County Schools that is available in only one other school in the country.

The technology includes apps for iPhones and Androids that allow students, parents, staff and the public to stay informed about matters of the school system.

Snyder said the technology makes it possible for users to pull up items of interest from calendars to school menus, from staff members to grades and attendance. The technology is also useful in emergency situations. Information about all areas of the school system and individual schools is available through the new technology.

This technology is ready to release live on Android, Snyder said, and should be available via Apple in two to three weeks.

Also available throughout the Pike County School System’s new technology will be “Talk About It,” which is a program that allows students to talk anonymously with selected faculty members about problems they are facing or report school incidents or activities that should be brought to the attention to the administration.

“This new technology opens a virtual door of communication between students and administration or faculty,” Snyder said. “It’s a way for teachers and students to meet anonymously online and provides a way for students to come forward with issues of concern.”

Following the board agenda, the board approved the resolution requesting the transfer of a Brundidge property deed from the State of Alabama to the Pike County Board of Education.

Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County Schools, said the property is known as “The Hole” on Gilmore Street.

“We wanted to have the deed transferred to the Pike County School System in the event the board wants to make improvements to and use of the property,” Bazzell said.

The board accepted the offer of $3,500 from Phyllis Rodgers for the purchase of the house owned by the Pike County Board of Education in Brundidge. Moving expenses will be the responsibility of the buyer. The house must be moved in 90 days.

In personnel action, the board accepted resignations from Sarah Toney, a Child Nutrition employee, effective Aug. 2, Melissa Grant as physical education aide at Goshen Elementary and Kim Dixon, Child Nutrition worker at Pike County Elementary School.

The board approved the voluntary transfer of Lucille Taylor from the position of Banks/Brundidge lunchroom floater to Goshen Elementary lunchroom worker.

The board approved the employment of Pam Franklin as Instruction Support Specialist.

The board also approved coaching supplements for Pike County and Goshen high schools.

In further action, the board approved Stephanie Snyder to attend the Alabama Education Technology Association Conference in Perdido Beach from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.