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The Demopolis City Board of Education approved a five-year capital plan and announced changes for homecoming week during a meeting Monday, Sept. 17.

All school systems are required to submit to state a capital plan, even if those plans are unfunded, according to Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff. While some projects on the plan are already funded, about $15.5 million would be needed to do all the projects.

The portion that is funded includes ongoing renovations to ensure schools are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Other items on the plan include renovations and additions to current schools as well as roof repairs.

Kallhoff also shared with the board that there are some discussion about a statewide bond issue for school construction, but stressed to the board it is only discussion at this point.

In addition, Kallhoff reported that officials with the City of Demopolis are discussing a possible sales tax increase of 1 cent, with those funds being divided between the school system, Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, and the city for streets and infrastructure projects.

“If that were to happen, we could do the entire $15 million on this plan,” Kallhoff said, adding that the board could consider a 30-year bond issue. “I appreciate the city having the discussion and considering the investment in our schools.”

Kallhoff also announced that changes will be made for this year’s homecoming activities, including changes to the parade, which will be moved from the afternoon of the game on Oct. 5, it will be held the evening before, on Oct. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. The route will travel along Walnut Avenue to Rooster Hall where it will turn left, and proceed to the Demopolis Civic Center where a bonfire pep rally will be held for the public.

Kallhoff said the change is due to the high temperatures in the afternoon as well as maintaining a routine school schedule. “We will have full school days on Oct. 4 and 5,” he said.

Other items discussed included:

• recognizing the Teacher, Student, and Support Staff of the Month at Westside Elementary School and Demopolis Middle School, who each received gifts from sponsor Batter Up (pictures of recipients will be published in upcoming edition).

• approved the personnel report that include the resignations of Devante Giles, a special education teacher at WES; Dana Freeman, first grade teacher at WES; and Brooke Thorn, a math teacher at DHS. Transfers included Tammy Rainey, who changed from an aide to a teacher at WES; Traci Spiller from secretary to math teacher at DHS (pending certification).

• approval of inventory dispositions, which included a an out-of-date defibrillator, textbooks, and a 1998 school bus that is beyond repair.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, September 22 issue of the Demopolis Times.)