Pike County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell shared the initial design for the Banks School Project with the school board members at Monday night’s board meeting. Bazzell said the school project will be about 1,500-square-feet.

“Across the state, costs for such projects are running about $180 to $200 a square-foot,” Bazzell said. “So, we are looking at around $6 million rather that $5 million for Phase I of the project.’

Bazzell said as the board will move forward with the aspects of financing the project.

In new business, the board:

• Approved the Pike County Schools Teacher Leadership Academy
• Approved an agreement with East Central Mental Health to provide school-Based Mental Health.
• Adopted a resolution proclaiming February 16-23, 2019 as FFA Week. Presentation by FFA Members.
• Approved the extension of Mockingbird Lane through the property owned by Pike County Schools to the Kimber Access Road.
• Reviewed the preliminary design for Banks capital project Phase I and Phase II.
• Approved the request for the Attorney General’s opinion on a legal issue.
• Awarded the bid contract for E-rate Eligible Services – WAN/Internet Access Services to Information Transport Solutions.
• Approved the request for transportation for the Pike County Schools fifth graders to attend the Classroom in the Forest on March 5, 2019. Expenses will be paid by Pike County Conservation District.
• Approved the request for an activity bus for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee to use for two trips, February 17 and April 16.
• Approved the request for 45 students and five chaperones to attend a three-day cruise aboard AMBITION at the National Flight Academy, March 4-6 in Pensacola. Expenses will be paid with General Funds.
• Approved the request for all students, grades five and seven, to attend a one-day STEM Adventure aboard the AMBITION at the National Flight Academy in Pensacola. Tentative dates are April 26, 29 and 30. Expenses will be paid with General Funds.
• Approved request for Christine Brown to attend the AASBO Local School Financial Management Certificate Program March 3-5 in Tuscaloosa. Expenses paid with local school funds.
• Approved the request for Sharon Sullivan to attend the MEGA Conference, July 15-19 in Mobile. The expenses will be paid with State Local Funds.
• Approved the request for Pamela Moates, Liz Leveque, and Angie Long to attend the MEGA Conference, July 15-19. Expenses will be paid with General Funds.
• Approved request for Aretha Jackson, Carolyn Wilson, Lucille Taylor, Deborah Sessions, Sara Wilson, Annie Reynolds, Karen Langston and Mary Hall to attend the Alabama School Nutrition Association’s Conference, March 8-9 in Montgomery.   Brooke Terry will attend the Child Nutrition Director’s Spring Conference, March 7-9. Expenses will be paid with Child Nutrition Funds.
• Approved request for Sergeant First Class Aaron J. Young to attend/judge JROTC National Drill Competition March 28-29 in Richmond, Virginia at no expense to the Board.
• Approved the request for Mitzy Distel to attend the 50^th Annual AASBO Conference April 29-May 3 in Orange Beach. Expenses are to be paid with General Funds.
• Approved request for Becky Kelly to attend the AASBO Professional Certificate Program and Annual Conference, April 29-May 3 in Orange Beach. Expenses are to be paid with General Funds.
• Approved the request for Nathan Brawner to attend the CTE New Teacher training session E, February 14-15 in Montgomery. Expenses will be paid with Perkins Funds.
• Approved or denied student transfer requests per the attached spreadsheet.

In personnel action, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of Robert Wilkins, bus driver, effective January 14, 2019. Retroactive.
• Approved maternity leave for Megan Henderson, Pike County Elementary School. Tentative dates are May 10-23.
• Approved the employment of Kelvin Larkin, bus driver.
• Approved the employment of Kimberly Brundidge, bus driver.
• Approved the employment of Crystal Davis, bus driver.

• Approved Nicholas Beaty and Ethan Stonecipher to fill the mathematics/science tutors’ position at the CA³L. These positions were approved at the June 20, 2018 board meeting.