During a work session before its regular meeting Monday, April 7, the Trussville Board of Education discussed several issues regarding the completion of the new high school.The board first discussed several options regarding a move-in date for the new high school and stressed the importance of renovating existing schools before new sets of students moved in to help them see they are getting a new school also.
Possible move-in dates the board was presented with were Oct. 13, Nov. 11 and Jan. 8 2009.
Superintendent Suzanne Freeman and Board President John Floyd tried to determine when the board could gain occupancy of the building because Mayor Gene Melton has said he wants three to four weeks reserved for road construction during which time no one else can be on the road.
The projected completion date for the school is Aug. 8, and the board should expect the keys to be handed over Aug. 11.
Floyd said he still had some concerns about whether the board would have fiduciary responsibilities after the school was complete and how many portables the system would be able to get rid of once the school opened.
The members agreed they would like to move into the school as soon as possible, but did not want to rush to a decision only to have to change the opening date.
Floyd also said it would be important to renovate the current high school for the transition the middle schoolers will make to that school after the high schoolers move.
He said he hoped the entire progression of moving students into different schools could be complete by August 2009.
Freeman also pointed out it was important to respect the teachers because it would be added stress on them to have to move in the middle of the school year. Floyd suggested asking the faculty what they thought would work best before making a final decision.
Anthony Montalto, director of support services for Trussville City Schools, said it might be possible to arrange for teachers to move some items to the new school ahead of time by allowing them access during off days including weekends.
He also said that would help reduce the work the system would need a moving company to do when the big move-in day approached.
Board member Ormond Bentley said he agreed with moving in as early as possible, but said he would prefer to set a date when the completion of the school was more in sight.
The board agreed to hold off on making a decision until its May meeting.
The board also decided to forgo any signs on school buildings until the need for them outweighs the cost of having them done.
Floyd said he would like to see a directional sign placed at the entrance to the school to keep up the look the BOE envisions for the school.
Montalto also said the new field house is being prepared for a parking lot and should be ready by October.
The council also narrowed down a list of possible names for the road leading into the school, which the city will choose from and make official.
The four choices the board selected are Husky Parkway, H.T. Parkway, Husky Pride Parkway and Victory Lane.
