With Ridgeland High School, the Advancing Education Center and North LaFayette Elementary School now completely reroofed, according to Walker County Schools Director of Facilities and Operations Chris Jones, the School Board is turning its attention to other projects.
The board recently approved many bids and contracts that will continue throughout the summer.
• LaFayette and Ridgeland High schools will both receive new softball field lights by August. The School Board approved to spend $85,000 on the RHS lights and $80,000 on the LHS lights.
"It was something we needed for tournaments," said Jones.
• Jones said he is working on three new additions, one each for Rossville Elementary, Chattanooga Valley Elementary and LaFayette Middle schools. The projects should begin in August and run through at least January under the direction of Neuhoff Architects.
"It's time to update buildings," said Jones. "We try to look at it from a strategic standpoint and update as we can."
He is also working on bids for parking lots and drives at all schools in the system except the new schools., and is planning a K-5-style playground for Saddle Ridge School, he said.
Jones continues to work with J and J Construction on a $5 million addition at LaFayette High School that will add six classrooms, new roofing, a new HVAC unit and a new field house.
Other monetary items the Walker County School Board recently approved for the school system:
• Instructional supplies for $112,569
• Floor chemical supplies totaling $29,584
• A $109,889 contract with Manning Brothers for a hot/cold food counter for Saddle Ridge School
• A school nutrition bid with T and T Produce at $2 more than the case price