Local resident H.F. Scott asked the board when the road that loops around Jemison Middle School would be fixed.

“This is an ongoing situation since 2011,” Scott said. “When is anything going to be done about it?”

Hayden said the road was repaved last year, but problems with a section of the road have necessitated further repairs, which have been delayed due to rain.

“We’re trying to get it done now,” Hayden said. “I’m sorry it’s been delayed, but it’s going to be fixed. It just didn’t work out the way it should have.”

Larry Easterling, a business owner in Chilton County, addressed the board about the bid process for school projects.

Easterling asked if the board bids projects totaling more than $15,000.

Hayden said “yes” and added, “If our maintenance department does it, it doesn’t have to be bid.”

“I just want to make sure the bid process of any schoolwork that’s done in Chilton County is handled in the right way,” Easterling said. “It’s been something that’s dear to my heart. I just want to make sure it’s done right, and I hope it is, and that money is well spent.”

Heather Alford and Keri Stallings, parents of children in the Tiger Trails after-school program at Clanton Elementary School, asked the board whether it planned to approve reapplying for the grant, which is about to expire.

“I have no intention of signing off on approving that grant,” Hayden said. “If there’s another proposal, I’d be glad to listen to it, but we’re giving this grant a ‘no.’”

Alford and Stallings asked why the answer was no.

Hayden said the program has caused problems and did not elaborate but told Alford and Stallings they could meet with him to discuss it more if they wanted to.

Aaron Ellison, a parent of a student in Chilton County’s special needs pre-K program, addressed the board regarding concerns about the program’s new format that was implemented last year.

“That program is supposed to prepare those special needs students just like my son to enter the kindergarten program and have them prepared to enter that ready to go,” Ellison said. “You cut them back to half a day. A half a day is not cutting it.”

Ellison said the students do not get lunchroom, library or technology time on the half-day schedule and asked the board to consider changing the format of the special needs pre-K program to a full day.

“The program as it was structured prior to this school year was a full day,” Ellison said. “Why can’t the kids be there a full day and get the experience they need to progress in their education when they start kindergarten?”

Hayden asked Ellison to have concerned parents contact him.

“I’ve heard nothing but positive on that this year,” Hayden said of the program.

Ellison commended the faculty members for their work with the program in its new format.

“Nobody is degrading anything that’s gone on this year,” Ellison said. “All we’re asking is, will you give them more time.”