New Members, New Leadership on School Board
The Russell County School Board has new leadership. During Monday night’s monthly meeting, Julie Beckmann was elected “Chairperson” and Brenda Higginbotham “Vice Chair” of the local school board. It was the first meeting for both ladies and fellow newcomer Gerald Murray.
Beckmann says she hopes the Board will come together and always remember their service should be in the best interest of the students.
In business matters taken up, the School Board, on a 4-1 vote, approved moving forward with a proposed construction project which calls for replacing the high school’s roof and HVAC system along with several other improvements to that facility. The construction project will cost an estimated $4.8 million and could begin by the year’s end. Monday night’s decision to move forward was the first in what will be several steps the Board will have to consider and vote upon before actually awarding construction bids.
After voting late last year to refinance a 2005 bond-issue which is saving the school district just over $362,000….the district now has a “bonding capability” of just over $8 million which will cover the costs of the proposed improvements.
