By By Kerry Whipple-Bean
Renovations at W.S. Neal High School and a new air conditioning system at Escambia County High School are the top priorities for 2007 in the Escambia County Board of Education's five-year capital plan.
But those projects would only come to fruition if the state appropriates money for such projects, Superintendent Billy Hines said.
The board approved the capital plan at its regular meeting Thursday. The renovations would cost about $76,000, and the air conditioning system is budgeted at $500,000.
Projects on the wish list for coming years include further renovations at W.S. Neal High, Flomaton elementary and high schools and Pollard-McCall Junior High School, as well as roofing work at Pollard-McCall, ECHS and the Career Technical Center.
"We have a plan if money's available," Hines said.
Hines noted that the state Legislature could consider a major bond issue for education this year, but "the proof is in the pudding," he told board members.
Last year, the school board's only capital project was improvements at Turtle Point Environmental Science Center. The $150,000 renovations were made possible by the Neal Trust.
In other business Thursday:
"Once the board approves the annual budget, the superintendent has the approval to spend the money," Hines said.
The school board also made the following personnel changes: