During the regular meeting of the Altus School Board Monday evening, the Board discussed what to do with the remaining 1.3 million dollars for the renovations at Altus High School. The 1.3M is unencumbered tax fund money.

Superintendent Bob Drury said that there were several projects that need to be done, including the ag building, gym, auditorium, cafeteria, parking and the music building. He went on to say that even though all of the projects could be started with the money remaining, they couldn’t all be finished. To do all of the projects, Drury said approximately 6 million dollars would be needed.

The projects include making the gym facilities handicapped accessible, a complete renovation of the music building, and modernizing the cafeteria.

Board member John Thomas said that he would like to hear what Mr. Drury thinks would be the best approach to this, and asked that he give the Board a prioritized list indicating the greatest and most critical needs. Board member Keith Phillips said that he would like to know what project or projects could be completed with the money. Darrell Moss asked Drury if he could make his recommendations to give them direction on this decision, to which Drury said he could have something together by the next board meeting. Drury also added that he would like to see the project(s) started shortly after the first of the year.

The agenda item was for discussion only, so no action or vote was taken.

In other matters, Drury announced that Nathan Covington was the only candidate to file for the Board seat being vacated by Rosalyn Hall in March. Covington will take his place on the board at the March 11, 2013 meeting. Also under Superintendent’s reports and comments, Drury said that school employees will be off for Christmas break beginning at 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 20, and will not return to work until Jan. 7.

There were three retirements to consider on the agenda, Kelly Cox and Randell Hawkins from Altus Junior High, and Deanice Hughes from Bulldog Academy. There were six proposed substitutes that were approved, as well as three volunteers. There were also two non-certified personnel hired as aides, Rachel Gracy and Bernie McDowell.

The Board also revised the superintendent’s contract changing paid vacation days as a lump sum to be included as contracted salary, approved the 2012-14 school calendar, decided to continue use the district drug dog through the end of the year, and approved the recommendation to hire Jim Atkinson to draw up plans for the design of the weight lifting and training facility at Altus High School.

Under new business, there were two requests for out of town transportation, one for the swimming team this weekend, and one for wrestling on Jan. 7. Both trips are to Amarillo, Texas. The Board approved both requests.