Cafeteria upgrades planned

L.E. Wilson Middle, Threadgill schools to see improvements

By Russ Corey
Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 22, 2009 at 11:05 p.m.

SHEFFIELD - Sheffield Board of Education members accepted a $100,000 grant Monday that will be used to upgrade cafeteria equipment at Threadgill Primary School and L.E. Wilson Middle School.

The money is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the state Department of Education for use in schools' child nutrition programs.

The grant will not require any matching funds.

"This will take care of many of our dreams," Superintendent of Education Richard Gardner said.

"We're very thankful for it."

The money will be used to purchase a new dishwasher, a double-stack serving table, a new serving line and large milk cooler for Threadgill and a new serving line, double-stack serving table and salad bar for L.E. Wilson Middle School.

Gardner said bid specifications are being prepared and could be sent out later this week or early next week.

He said the board could hold a special meeting in July to approve the low bid.

Gardner said that needs to be done so the equipment can be installed before school starts in August.

Money received from the program must be spent by Sept. 30, Gardner said.

In other business, the board:

accepted a $17,250 Alabama Reading Initiative grant.
approved a wage increase in line with federal wage and hour laws for substitute support staff that will go into effect July 1.
approved the list of surplus tools from the school system's industrial arts program.
tabled the approval of the low bid for milk and bread for the Child Nutrition Program Consortium.
appointed Board Chairwoman Donna Akins to the Sheffield Education Association's Register of Honor Committee.
approved a teacher's request for family medical leave.
approved a return to the seven-period school day for students attending Sheffield Junior High School during the 2009-10 school year.
approved Gardner's attendance at a superintendent's leadership conference Sept. 17-18 at no cost to the school system.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.