Opelika City Schools board calls meeting to speed renovations
BY EMILY WRIGHT
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA —The Opelika City Schools Board of Education called a special meeting on July 9 in order to expedite construction of two projects: repairs to the men’s restroom at Bulldog Stadium and to the lighting control panel in the auditorium at Opelika Middle School.
Each of these projects was declared as an “emergency” so that construction could begin as soon as possible and hopefully be completed in time for the start of the 2024-2025 school year, according to Board Chairman Kevin Royal.
The men’s restroom in OHS stadium was damaged in an electrical fire in January. The board accepted a low bid of $143,250 from Moore’s Construction LLC for repairs.
The board also discussed a malfunction with the lighting control panel in the middle school’s auditorium and awarded a low bid of $249,950 to Electrical Technicians Inc. for repairs.
Lee County Schools board approves three-year contract for superintendent Howard
BY EMILY WRIGHT
FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — At its regularly scheduled meeting on July 9, the Lee County Schools Board of Education approved a new three-year contract of employment for superintendent Dr. MikeHoward, since he took on the position in December 2023, which was midway through the school year.
“I’m very grateful to each of the board members and their vote of confidence in me,” said Howard. “These past seven months have been incredible, and I’m looking forward to our continued successes as we continue to raise the bar in our Lee County Schools.”
The board approved a revision of the Lee County Special Education Plan for Children with Disabilities.
The board accepted a low bid of $1,166,360 from Associated Mechanical Contractors Inc. for new gymnasium HVAC systems at Sanford Middle School, Wacoochee Elementary School, Smiths Station Junior High School and South Smiths Station Elementary School.
It also awarded contracts for cafeteria equipment and supplies, including a low bid of $726,796 from Mobile Fixture for serving line improvements. It accepted the produce bid from Regional Produce for the amount of $246,615, and the bread bid from Flowers Bakery.
The board approved the Alabama Association of School Boards 2024-2025 annual membership dues of $16,000.
The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 6 p.m.
Auburn City Schools board to name AHS baseball field
BY ANITA STIEFEL
EDITOR@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN — The Board of Education for Auburn City Schools met in regular session on July 9, where members approved the final closeout of toilet renovations and miscellaneous new exterior canopies, sidewalks and drives at East Samford School.
The board approved minutes from a special session on May 24 and a regular session on June 11, heard a financial report and approved several personnel actions.
The board approved the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan and Board Policy, as well as discussed the naming of the baseball field at Auburn High School.
The board announced the 2024 New Teachers Welcome Breakfast will be held Aug. 1, and Institute Day for faculty and staff will be held Aug. 7.
The board will hold a work session for the fiscal year 2025 budget on Aug. 27, followed by two public hearings set for Sept. 3 at 8:30 a.m. and at 5 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education is set for Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Junior High School multimedia room.
UPDATE:
The ACS Board of Education met for a brief special session on July 10 to accept the resignation of a middle school music teacher. Per board policy, no further information regarding personnel matters is available.
