Albertville board unanimously approves consent items, advances Schneider Electric Phase 1 and selects architect for new K–1 school

The Albertville City Board of Education unanimously approved a package of routine and project-related items at its Oct. 21 regular meeting, including Phase 1 of a Schneider Electric facility project and authorization to begin contract negotiations with Lathan-McKee Architects for a new K–1 school. Board President Melissa McKee called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at 105 West Main Street.

The board approved the regular meeting agenda and a consent agenda that included minutes from September 16 and October 10 and 17, fundraiser revenue reports and listed deletions. Motions to approve the agenda and the consent items passed unanimously after standard motions and seconds by board members.

Superintendent Dr. Bart Reeves presented several recommendations that the board approved without dissent: a set of personnel actions labeled A–E, an independent contract, amendments to the 2025–26 student handbooks, formation of the 2025–26 Social Studies Textbook Committee, and the surplus and destruction of a textbook list from AHS. Each of those items was moved and seconded in the meeting record and carried by unanimous vote.

On facilities and capital projects, Dr. Reeves recommended approval of Phase 1 of the Schneider Electric project following an overview provided by Mr. Todd Smith. The board voted unanimously to approve Phase 1, moving the district’s equipment project forward.

The board also accepted Lathan-McKee Architects as the firm to be invited to negotiate a contract to provide design services for the new K–1 school. The motion authorized staff to enter contract negotiations with the selected firm and passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance: Approval of agenda (motion: Annie Furrer; second: John Gladden) — unanimously approved. Consent agenda (motion: Amanda Baugh; second: Bobby Stewart) — unanimously approved. Personnel items A–E (motion: Annie Furrer; second: John Gladden) — unanimously approved. Independent contract (motion: Annie Furrer; second: Amanda Baugh) — unanimously approved. Policies (Policy 4.02.8 Alabama Unsafe School Choice Option; Policy 4.02.9 Vape Awareness, Education, and Prevention) (motion: John Gladden; second: Bobby Stewart) — unanimously approved. 2025–26 Student Handbook amendments (motion: Annie Furrer; second: Amanda Baugh) — unanimously approved. 2025–26 Social Studies Textbook Committee roster (motion: Annie Furrer; second: Amanda Baugh) — unanimously approved. Textbook surplus and destruction from AHS (motion: John Gladden; second: Annie Furrer) — unanimously approved. Schneider Electric Phase 1 (motion: John Gladden; second: Annie Furrer) — unanimously approved. Architect firm selection for K–1 school (motion: Amanda Baugh; second: Bobby Stewart) — unanimously approved. Adjournment of meeting (motion: Amanda Baugh; second: Annie Furrer) — unanimously approved.

The board’s unanimous votes mean the district will proceed to the next administrative steps: contract negotiation with Lathan-McKee Architects for K–1 design, and implementation planning for Phase 1 of the Schneider Electric project. No motions failed or were tabled during the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.