At their school board meeting Monday, Superintendent Mark Bazzell reported to the Pike County School Board that Pike County Elementary renovation projects are "moving at a snail's pace."

He said there was a chance that buildings 100, 200 and 500 would not be ready before school starts. If that is the case, PCES students will start school three to five days late and attend during the first intercession to make up the difference.

"We are optimistic that the buildings will be finished," Bazzell said. "If they start late, no other schools will be impacted."

He reported that renovations at each of the other schools were going smoothly. Goshen Elementary School is ahead of schedule and the new driveway configuration at Pike County High School is visible.

The board also approved five requests for interdistrict transfers, which had also been approved by Troy City Schools.

The financial statement for June was approved as well as the payment of bills and accounts for June 30 to July 10. As far as next year's finances are concerned, the board approved a budget amendment for fiscal year 2003, authorizing an increase in spending in maintenance and operations and changes in the line items in the federal budget.

The board also renewed its membership in the National School Board Association for a discounted rate of $1,350. The association provides many services including conferences, a newsletter and access to school board news and education legislation.

Members also voted to approve bids for automatic floor scrubbers at Banks, Goshen Elementary School and Pike County Elementary School for $13,456. Cooperative Propane won the bid to supply propane gas for 2003-2004 with the option of a three-year contract. Collier Oil and Propane will provide gasoline and diesel fuel.

The board also approved several changes to the Student Code of Conduct. These changes include the requirement of a school-wide written discipline plan; additional rules on hazing, making it a Class 4 offense if there is injury or damage to property; emergency procedures; the use of surveillance cameras; and how parents request school and special education records.

Board members also approved the resignation of Wendy Ford as fifth grade teacher at Goshen Elementary School, Kristen Gibson as math teacher at Pike County High School and Mickey Jacobs as science teacher and coach at Goshen High School.

The board also approved the voluntary transfers of the following: Wendy Watson from her position as Troy State In-Service Center Reading First Coach to the position of Alabama Reading First Initiative Coach at PCES; Ann Dunn from her position as Reading Coach at PCES to the position of Reading Coach at Banks School; Ashley Johnson from fourth grade teacher at PCES to the position of Reading Coach at GES, also granting permission for an emergency hire to fill the fourth grade position; and Pamela Franklin from third grade back to the position as Alabama Reading Initiative Reading Specialist at PCES, also authorizing an emergency hire for the third grade position.

New personnel includes: Beth Milton as a gifted education teacher; Thomas Taylor as a physical education teacher at Banks; Lenora Senn as a school secretary and bookkeeper at Banks; Beth Lees as a third grade teacher at PCES; Diana Woods as physical education teacher at PCES; Jennifer Lee as Reading First Initiative Coach at PCES; Lisha Ginn as a math teacher at PCHS; Vicki Pritchett as a Title 1 math teacher at PCHS; Sharon Sullivan as a science teacher at PCHS pending release by the Montgomery Board of Education; and Ann Barbaree as special education instructional assistant at GES. The board also authorized advertising for the emergency hire for a middle school math teacher at Banks.

In other business, the board: took nominations for the County Board of Equalization; retroactively approved the request from the Brundidge Recreation Department for the use of a bus to transport the Dixie Youth Tournament Baseball Team to Abbeville July 1-2; approved Elizabeth Grubbs' request that she and the Indian Elder attend the Indian Education Association Conference in Greensboro, N.C., on November 1-5 using money from Indian Program funds; named Gail Lambert as the chief school finance officer; approved Elizabeth Grubbs' request to advertise for the position of Indian Education paraprofessional; and approved raising the pay scale for special education bus aides from minimum wage to $6.50 per hour.

The board went into executive session at 6:15 p.m. and adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The next board meeting will be July 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the board room.