The Edwards County School Board met in regular session Monday night and heard from ADG architects concerning the possible construction of a bus maintenance barn which would be located on property owned by the school district where the Albion Motel used to be located, which is across from the current campus. The proposal calls for a 60 to 120-ft pre-engineered metal building. The estimate for the structure is $1.1 million. The newly proposed building would be paid for through bonding and using some of the sales tax money that the district currently has on deposit.
The board also heard that the new locks on the exterior will be installed soon at the West Salem Grade School and the K through 12. The new security locks are proposed to be much safer than what is currently being used. All exits from the buildings will remain open, however, entrance to the building will be more secure.
Darrien Lee Provost presented the Aaron’s Law sexual abuse curriculum to the board through the agency called CAISA. The board approved the curriculum with possible changes to the current content.
A new water softener for the K through 12 was purchased from Complete HVAC for $32,990. The ECHS gym floor will be refinished this summer for $28,528. Hardwood Floor Specialty will be doing that work. There also was a discussion of upgrading the ECHS gym lobby area and some gym upgrades. All of the projects will be paid for by sales tax money.
A Cheer Camp at ECHS was approved along with trips to Springfield in the spring by the Albion Grade School 7th Grade and the Albion Grade School Band and Choir trip to Holiday World. A critical thinking forensic science class will be added to the high school curriculum next year.
According to Superintendent Cowger, the board approved the move for the SIJHSAA to the IESA. Superintendent Cowger told the board that the cafeteria is in the red, not only because of the rise in food costs but costly repairs to kitchen equipment.