The Pike County Board of Education approved $5 million in capital expenditures and approved retirement requests for seven system employees at its Monday meeting.

Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County Schools recommended the capital expenditures that include $1 million for an art complex at Pike County High School, $3 million for a gymnasium at Goshen High School and a $1 million immediate capital project for window replacement at Pike County Elementary School and re-roofing projects at five schools.

Bazzell said a few changes have been made in the original plans for the $1 million art complex at Pike County High School and the $3 million gymnasium at Goshen High School.

“It was just a matter of tweaking a few things,” Bazzell said.

“We took out a hall in the art complex so that we could increase the seating capacity from 160 to 192. We have got everything the way that we want it at both facilities.”

The board approved Bazzell’s recommendation to accept the plans and move forward with the design phase of the project.

“Hopefully, we’ll be ready to bid the project by May/June,” he said. “We will move forward immediately with the window replacement and re-roofing projects.”

Included in the projects is the window replacement in three buildings on the Pike County Elementary School campus — the administration building and the 100 and 300 buildings.

The capital project also includes the re-roofing of five buildings–the round building at Banks Middle School, Banks Primary School, Goshen Elementary School, the 700 building at Goshen High School and the gymnasium at Pike County High School.

“The funds have been set aside for these projects,” Bazzell said.  Bazzell discussed the Charter School legislation that is before the state legislature during the current session.

“I cannot support the legislation in its present form,” he said.

“Although it is a good idea to have a mechanism in place for a change where schools are consistently performing poorly, I’m not sure the legislation in place is the answer because every school system in the state could have a charter school whether they have a low performing school or not.’

Bazzell encouraged those in attendance to find out more about the legislation and contact their state representatives if they have concerns.

The board accepted the following retirement requests:

• Janie Waller as fifth grade teacher at GES, effective May 25.

• Mildred Davis, Indian Education paraprofessional at PCES due to health reason.

• Phyllis Wilson, facilitator of Global Studies Academy, effective at the end of the school year.

• Alice Phillips from PCHS effective at the end of the school year.

• Janet Campbell, second grade teacher at GES, effective May 25.

• Arthur Lee Wilson, bus driver, effective May 24

• Suzanne Clemmons from Banks Primary School effective May 25

In other business, the board:

• Approved at trip to Huntsville on April 1 for the marching band to participate in the Battle of the Bands.

• Approved the request for Anita Grant, Shantell Rouse, Elena Pop, Donnella Carter, Elizabeth Grubbs and Mark Head to attend the Mega Conference July 16-20 in Mobile. Expenses will be paid from Title I, Indian Education and IDEA.

• Approved the request for CNP to purchase an additional freezer and cooler at Goshen Elementary School for an estimated cost of $79,500 to be paid by Child Nutrition Program.

• Approved, retroactive, Goshen High School and Pike County High School to hold an AHSGE Saturday Blitz on March 10 and March 17. Teachers participating were Jodie Jefcoat Renee Cortner, Kathy Schofield, Pate Harrison, Brittney Whitman, Selesta Tucker, Martha Harden, Sharon Sullivan, Lisa Golden, Melinda Defee and Doug Branson. The teachers were paid $25 an hour from the State-at-Risk Student’s grant.

•Approved the request to change the Troy-Pike Center for Technology Information Technology Program to a Database Design Program and the request to close the current Network Systems and Computer Service program.

• Approved the Pike County High School JROTC program to take a select number of cadets to Fort Benning, Ga. on April 27. There will be no cost to the district.

• Approved 10 cadets and one instructor to attend the 2nd Cycle for the JROTC Junior Cadet Leadership Camp at Ft. McClellan June 3-8. Travel will be shared with Charles Henderson High School.

• Approved the contract for professional services with CDB Educational Services.

• Approved students to participate in the SkillsUSA state competition in Birmingham on April 25 and 26. Expenses will be paid by SkillsUSA.

• Approved students from Troy-Pike Center for Technology to attend the 2012 Skills Championships and Career Expo at the Jefferson Convention Center in Birmingham on April 25 and 26. Expenses will be paid by SkillsUSA.

In further personnel action, the board approved a request for maternity leave for Brianne Kent from May 21 to May 25 and Torie Hopkins as a volunteer at Goshen High School.