ARMOREL -- The Armorel School Board approved funds for the building of an athletic track and field Monday night at the board's monthly board meeting.
The project, which has been in the idea stage for months now, will consist of a four-lane rubber track that has the ability to expand to eight lanes, along with a grass infield that could hold field events as well as soccer.
"I'm excited about this," said Superintendent Sally Bennett. "We've been talking about this for a long time. We're ready to proceed."
The board approved funds with an estimated costs of $358,225. Bennett said the goal is to have the facility ready by fall of 2015.
The board also approved funds for new bleachers for the baseball and softball fields. With the district hosting both softball and baseball 1A Region 2 Regional tournaments and the 1A state softball tournament this spring, and with ample funds available for the project, Bennet felt that now was the time to make the addition.
Each field will receive two new set of bleachers that can fit 74 people in each set. The bleachers on the home side will be elevated and place on on a concrete slab. The project will also include a sidewalk from the softball field to the concession stand.
The board approved the estimated cost of $23,822.00. Bennet said the project should be completed before the regional tournament in early May.
In other news from the school board meeting, the board approved a number of other purchases:
-- $140,800.00 toward the building of a bus barn to hold the district's nine school buses, one mini-bus and mini-van.
-- $52,854.80 toward the purchase of 38 Mac Book Air Computers for teachers.
-- $20,963 toward the purchase of a 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan.
-- $20,380.78 toward the purchase of three Dell Poweredge Servers.
-- $10,740.90 toward the purchase of Winsor Learning equipment geared towards students with dyslexia.
Bennett said the funds are available from the district's building and materials funds. She also said the district will receive a $94,011.68 Payment in Lieu of Taxes from the state.
The board also renewed the contracts of high school Principal Theresa Lawrence and elementary Principal Joey Carr for one year.
Bennett updated the school board on her involvement in the state's recent legislation session. She said there are two bills currently being discussed related to school choice and one on the possibility of executive sessions being recorded.
The next monthly board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 16.
afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com