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At the recent Linden Board of Education meeting on January 11, 2021, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Thurman opened the meeting by discussing the bids for upcoming projects in the Linden school system.

The expected bid for a renovation project at G.P. Austin middle school was around $600,000. But due to COVID-19 and the building’s age, there will be an additional $260,000 needed to complete the renovations.

Thurman reported that the school system currently has $514,000 in the capital outlay fund. He proposed that the board use $500,000 of the fund and pay the remaining price with the recently approved state bond issue funds.

Thurman announced that the Linden City School System was approved to purchase the former Fun Factory property near the football stadium. The owner agreed to sell the property to the property for $30,000. He has contacted the school system’s attorney and is working on finalizing the paperwork.

Thurman also spoke on COVID-19 numbers in Marengo County and on LCS students remaining virtual. Thurman wants to extend virtual learning if the COVID-19 numbers have not dropped by the week of January 18. He and the board will revisit the issue before making a decision on students returning to campus.

Items approved at the meeting:

The board approved the financial statements for November 2020, and all bank statements have been reconciled.

The board agreed to extend the FFCRA leave (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) for employees until March 31, 2021

The board approved the Superintendent and CSFO to amend the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year as needed

The board approved the hiring of Amber Robinson as the District Mental Health Coordinator for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school term

That the board approves the use of the bond issue funds to complete the G.P. Austin renovation project

The board approved the Superintendent to work with the architect to start the process of building a multi-purpose gym at the elementary school