Dr. Mark Bazzell, Pike County Superintendent of Education, discussed capital plans with the board of education at its Monday meeting.

Bazzell said land acquisition and the conversion of the gym at Goshen High School to an art complex are at the top of the list.

“There are always roofing repairs and window replacements that have to be done,” Bazzell said. “Then, there are one-time projects that we hope will last 50 years.”

Bazzell brought before the board the next “big project” that he would like put at the top of the list for future capital improvements.

“Banks Schools are the highest performing schools in the county,” Bazzell said. “It’s about time the Banks Schools are on the list.

“Banks has great students and parents, a great faculty and great community support,” he said. “I think it is time for a significant investment in Banks Schools. With this investment, there is opportunity to grow the school.”

Bazzell said the Banks Schools instructional unit has “got it going on” and there is opportunity for enrollment growth.

Although there is no funding source for capital improvements at Banks at this time, Bazzell said he would like to put Banks School on the capital plan in September and begin looking for funding opportunities.

Board Member Wyman Botts said the Banks Schools are in his district and gave the Bazzell the go-ahead. The other board members also gave the nod to Banks Schools.

In new business, the board approved a 2 percent salary increase for all employees beginning Oct. 1, 2013, and received an audit report for FY2012 from Brenda Hollis, Examiners of Public Accounts Exit Conference.

Hollis said there were no findings and the audit was excellent.

Among the hires approved by the board for the 2013-2014 school year was the hiring of Tracey Thomas for the assistant principal position at Goshen Elementary School, retroactive to Aug. 8, 2013.

The board approved several hires at Goshen elementary and high schools.

Katie Parrish was approved for the sixth-grade teaching position at Goshen Elementary School, retroactive to Aug. 8, 2013. The board also approved Sandra Trotter for the third-grade teaching position at GES.

Ian Kimbro was approved for the physical education aide position at Goshen Elementary School.

Eric Hoehn was approved for the math teacher position at Goshen High School and M. Keith Hocutt for the agriscience position at Goshen High School.

The board approved the hiring of Lori Jacobs for the fifth-grade teaching position at Banks School.

In other hirings, Cynthia Boswell was the approved hire for the secretary to the superintendent position.

The board approved the hirings of Charles Barrentine as the maintenance team leader and Thomas Sessions as a maintenance helper.

Willie Long and Kimberly Brundidge were approved for fulltime bus driver positions.

The board approved the catastrophic leave request for Naomi Miles.

The resignation of Anthony Hunter, physical education aide at Goshen Elementary School, was accepted by the board.

In other action, the board approved the revised coaching supplement for Goshen High School and approved the contract for services with the Pike County Board of Education and the Pike County Economic Development Corporation from Oct. 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014.