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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Chilton County Board of Education approved a bid for a six-classroom addition to Isabella High School during a meeting on Oct. 19.

The $2.44 million project was approved as a part of the consent agenda.

Chilton County Schools Superintendent Jason Griffin said in an interview after the meeting that the addition would be located between the cafeteria and the softball field.

Rebidding an addition for Chilton County High School was also approved as a part of the consent agenda. The project will be bid as a six-classroom addition, rather than the eight classrooms and a science lab, which had been put out for bid previously. In this new bid for the CCHS classroom addition, a hallway would be constructed to connect it to the main building, according to Griffin.

The previous bid for eight classrooms came in at $3.3 million and was rejected by the board.

During a board meeting on Sept. 16, some board members expressed concerns about the cost being higher than anticipated and adding a science lab when other schools have a greater need for science upgrades.

Griffin had pointed out that the estimate of $1 million had been for six classrooms, but getting a bid on the additional classrooms and a science lab had been approved by the board.

The annual maintenance bids were also approved at the Oct. 19 meeting. Board President Pam Price asked why these services were bid out annually. Maintenance Supervisor Freddy Smith and Griffin said having the bid agreement in place is helpful in getting someone on site in a timely manner in emergency situations.

Under personnel, the board approved nine resignations/ retirements, including Alana Flow and Pam Harris from Central Office, Larry Penton from transportation, DeAngela Tyus from Maplesville High, Heather Scott from Verbena High as well as Brittany Hicks, Alexandrea Reed and Mary Smith from Clanton Elementary. Hiring seven classified employees and one certified employee, a library media specialist for Clanton Elementary was also approved. Additional teachers were also approved for the after-school program.

A tutoring program required by the Alabama Literacy Act will be started at Maplesville for one hour a day Monday through Thursday following board approval. The tutoring requirement is fulfilled at other schools in the county through the after-school program.