By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writers

Students in other counties will be able to attend Maplesville High School for free in the 2018-2019 school year.

The Chilton County Board of Education approved the measure 4 to 3 at a meeting on July 11.

Board President Lori Patterson and members Curtis Smith, Joe Mims and Keith Moore voted in favor. Board members Jim Shannon, Pam Price and Linda Hand voted in opposition.

Price asked if tuition would be waived for other schools. Chilton County Schools Superintendent Tommy Glasscock said the motion was only for Maplesville.

Maplesville is the smallest K-12 school in Chilton County. During the first month of last school year, there were 410 students.

At a town hall meeting with Glasscock in summer 2017, an audience member had pointed out that Maplesville had several out-of-county students until the school system implemented a $250 a semester fee for out-of-county students.

Maplesville is also going through transition as Joe Dennis is serving as interim principal. The Board of Education approved an interim principal stipend for Dennis during the July 11 meeting.

Dennis has served in this position since May 24.

A stipend was also approved for former Assistant Principal Tammy Hand, who is serving as interim principal at Verbena High School, following the resignation of Todd Davis.

Board member Linda Hand recused herself on the vote.

Davis’ resignation was also approved during the meeting, effective July 15.

Davis has accepted a position as principal at Lexington High School in the Lauderdale County School System.

Chilton County Schools has posted to hire a K-12 principal.