Emily Featherston
After a lengthy work session, the Vestavia Hills Board of Education met for its regular meeting Wednesday to discuss several items of business.
The board heard updates on several ongoing construction projects within the school system, including the additions at Liberty Park, Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights and others.
Brennan Bell of Hoar Program Management described the progress at the various sites and gave updates on expected completion timelines.
Bell said the construction at Liberty Park Elementary School is getting into its final stages, and that the classroom addition should be completed by the end of February.
At VHECH, students and parents should see the results of the cafeteria renovations after the Christmas holiday, with much of the work for that project completed. Also coming along, Bell said, is the new gym and multi-purpose space. Bell said the shell and roof are mostly complete, and the next stages will be pouring concrete slabs, installing the HVAC system and other interior work. Bell said the gym should be finished in late March, with April stated as the first use estimate.
The baseball field at Vestavia Hills High Schools should have its turf replaced by the end of December and in plenty of time before the spring season starts.
Bell said several other projects are in the works, and construction at Vestavia Hills Elementary East and Vestavia Hills Elementary West would be forthcoming.
In addition to the updates, the board approved an $11 million agreement with Lathan Associates Architects for future projects at the Old Berry High School property.
Superintendent Sheila Phillips explained that this was not a renovation contract, and that the decision for what the property will be used for has not been made. Rather, the agreement is a standard procedure with all construction and renovation projects, and must be done before work can begin.
Other Board business included:
- The board recognized Larry Gibson for his recent award of Alabama Art Teacher of the Year.
- The board recognized and congratulated the Extended Day Program at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central for its recent recognition by the state and media.
- The board recognized and thanked the two district teachers of the year.
- A contract with Terracon was approved, pending a language change in the contract.
- New courses at VHHS were approved.
