By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
LEEDS – The Leeds Board of Education heard a presentation from the vice president and principal partner of architectural firm Lathan Associates on plans for the upcoming athletic area upgrades, including a layout of the facility, among other projects.
Shawn Calma from Lathan Associates delivered the presentation, which was an overview of what the board aims to accomplish, namely new turf, reroofing Jerry Oxford Gym, a concrete plaza, fencing and gates, a jumbotron, the athletic facility, the sewer system to upgrade for the ditch problem and demolishing a concrete wall.
The total costs come down to $8,668,750, Calma said.
He presented the floor plans for the facility, which is located in front of the baseball field and will contain locker rooms, public bathrooms and bathrooms for student athletes, concessions, and a pavilion. The second floor is primarily for coaches and their offices.
As far as a timeframe for construction to begin goes, the board will determine whether to start in August this year for a 12-month period or in November this year for what would also be a 12-month period.
During his comments Superintendent John Moore spoke about a potential pay raise for certain employees of the district that were not affected by a salary matrix set by the Alabama Legislature two years ago.
The increase was an effort to retain teachers due to a shortage. All teachers received a 4% increase but teachers with more than 10 years of experience received 5%-18%. The principals and assistant principals in Leeds were able to benefit from this, Moore said.
“I’d like for us to take a look at our other employees who do not benefit from that increase,” he said.
He wants to add 2% locally to bus drivers, aides, bookkeepers, operations managers, directors, head coaches, and child nutritionists. The annual expenditure would be an estimated $62,000 per year, Moore said.
“I think that helps keep us competitive,” he added.
The proposal was a discussion and no action was taken.
Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller gave his report for the month of January, saying that 53.13% of the general fund revenues and 77.42% of the local revenues were received. This was an increase of 4.36% from 2023.
Expenditures and other fund uses in the general fund were 32.77%. Accounts payable were $475,524 and gross payroll expenditures were $1,260,190. The month was ended with an excess of revenues over expenditures in the general fund of $4,743,864. The unreserved fund balance was $9,671,606.
Elementary Education and Federal Programs Director Burke Wren reported that meetings have been convened for the summer literacy and numeracy programs scheduled for June 17-28. They will be located at Leeds Primary School due to construction at the elementary school. The learning camp and the regular summer camp will also be held at the primary school.
In other business the board:
- Accepted bids from Uniti Fiber and E-Rate for continued services for $4,700, and
- Declared a public works project to expand the parking lot at Leeds High School to alleviate overflow.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.