Board approves service agreements, playground resurfacing and K'8 textbook orders

The Pelham City Schools Board of Education approved multiple contracts and bids at its April 28 meeting, including student services, athletic training coverage, leadership development, playground resurfacing and a textbook adoption for science courses.

The board approved an agreement with Easterseals of Birmingham to provide speech therapy services to students as required by individualized education programs. The district presented the contract as a routine annual agreement that covers services through the upcoming school year.

Board members approved a one-year athletic-training agreement with Alabama Healthcare Holdings LLC (Baptist Health) for the 2025'26 year; the superintendent said the one-year term reflects current consolidation activity in the hospital system and keeps the district's trainer staffing stable while the health-care providers work through organizational changes. The proposed arrangement covers two trainers plus pay supplement support for a teacher who is also a certified trainer.

The board approved a low bid of $152,350 to Struthers Recreation of Pelham to remove existing playground surfacing and install poured-in-place safety surfacing at Pelham Ridge Elementary School. District staff said the work is scheduled to begin after the school year and be completed by July 31.

Officials approved three science-textbook quotes drawn from the state-approved textbook list: McGraw Hill Inspire Science (K'5) for Pelham Ridge and Pelham Oaks, and Savvas Elevate Science (6'8) for Pelham Park Middle School. The district said prices reflected the state bid list and that a teacher committee recommended the selections.

The board also approved a one-year $21,000 agreement with the Bailey Group to provide leadership development across grade levels and a routine contract with Easterseals for summer and annual therapies.

All items were approved by motion and voice vote during the meeting.