Board approves FY25 amendment, FY26 capital plan, property purchase, salary changes and several contracts

The Hoover City Schools Board of Education approved a set of budget, capital and personnel measures at its May meeting, including a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment, a five‑year capital plan extended through FY33, a property purchase for operations and transportation, changes to the 2025–26 salary schedule and several contract awards. The board also elected its president and vice president for 2025–26.

Budget and capital items: Superintendent Dr. Maddox presented a FY25 budget amendment that incorporated a larger FY24 ending balance than originally projected and added roughly $2.8 million in new state and federal appropriations for programs including special education, career and technical education, and a K‑12 capital grant for HVAC work. The amendment accounted for carryover of unspent federal grant funds and an increase in projected ending fund balance. The board approved the amendment by voice vote; the superintendent said the amendment may be forwarded to the Alabama State Department of Education for required reporting.

The board also approved the fiscal year 2026 capital plan, a five‑year maintenance and construction plan extended through FY33 to include the design and construction of Henry Elementary School. Notable changes in the presented plan included the addition of previously rejected projects (Gwyn and Brock's Gap, approximately $2.8 million) and athletic field upgrades at Hoover High School and Spain Park High School (about $1 million), with a reduction in projected advanced technology funds of about $1.8 million. The plan approval was by voice vote.

Salary schedule and supplements: The board approved recommended changes to the 2025–26 salary schedule. The changes include reducing the work year by one day for most employees, adding a salary schedule for an assistant superintendent position, increasing the daily rate for substitute teachers and aides to $130, setting the summer teacher support rate at $50 per hour, and increasing student worker pay by $3 per hour for summer projects in operations and technology.

Separately, the board approved additions and adjustments to supplemental pay for 2025–26: a girls wrestling coach supplement, a year‑round strength and conditioning coach, a local school communication share of $1,500 annually, and a realignment that reduces combined elementary and secondary webmaster supplements from $18,000 to $8,000. The superintendent also recommended several new supplemental pools (instructional, athletic, student/family support, operations/logistics, business/administrative) capped at $40,000 annually as needed.

Property purchase and contracts: The board approved the purchase of a facility at 2195 Parkway Lake Drive for $3,265,000 to expand transportation and operations capacity, including mechanic bays, dock space and secured outdoor parking. Chief School Financial Officer Miss McKay told the board the purchase is included in the FY25 budget.

The board awarded a uniforms and equipment bid for Spain Park High School athletic teams to BSN Sports LLC (Nike products) after receiving a single bid. The board also awarded a Hoover High School theater upgrade contract to Curtis Thompson General Contractors LLC for $345,454. Both awards were approved by voice vote.

Elections: In an annual election held under Robert’s Rules (modified for procedure) and conducted by roll call, the board elected Alan Paquette as president and Rex Blair as vice president for the 2025–26 year. The roll call recorded ayes for the nominees; the transcript lists board members voting aye during the calls: Alan Paquette, Amy Tassen/Amy Tausman, Greg Square and Shelley Shaw (president vote) and similar ayes for vice president, which resulted in the successful elections.

Administrative and routine approvals: The board approved the consent agenda (personnel actions, surplus and capitalized/obsolete assets and contracts), minutes from prior meetings and business action items, including payroll and accounts‑payable disbursements presented by Miss McKay.

Where votes were recorded only by voice, the board’s minutes show motions carried with all in favor and no recorded opposition. For the two officer elections, the transcript contains roll call results as described above.

What comes next: Budget and capital amendments will be processed per reporting requirements; the district will proceed with the property acquisition and planned buildouts and implement the salary and supplement changes for the 2025–26 school year.