By KATIE HURST/ Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA — The Shelby County Schools board of education approved the superintendent’s recommendation to hire Robin Thomas as the new high school coordinator during the regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 17.

Thomas is currently the principal at Thompson High School and has more than 30 years experience as an educator.

Thomas will be taking over the position after the retirement of current high school coordinator, Larry Headrick, April 1.

“He brings a wealth of experience to this position and we are proud to have him on board,” said Superintendent Randy Fuller.

Thomas received his degree in health, physical education and history from Samford University. He received his master’s and principal degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as an Education Specialist degree.

Upon the board’s approval, Thomas said he was honored to accept the position.

“Thank you so much for this enormous opportunity,” he said. “I know I have huge shoes to fill. I promise that I will work as hard as I can to make a smooth transition.”

In other business, the board of education:

— Accepted a bid from All-South Subcontractors, Inc. of Birmingham to partially reroof the Chelsea Intermediate School and Shelby County Instructional Services Center for $89,000.

— Accepted a bid from R.E. Grills Construction of Birmingham for traffic flow alterations at Thompson Intermediate School for $67,688. The alterations will redirect traffic exiting the school down the South side of the building, behind the football field, to prevent waiting traffic from backing up into Highway 119.

— Approved the removal and sale of the wastewater treatment plant at Chelsea High School, selling the plant to Blount County Water Authority for $10,000.

— Accepted a bid from D.L. Acton Construction Co., Inc. of Pelham for the classroom addition and cafeteria expansion to Pelham High School for $892,000.

— Approved Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. as the Shelby County School Architect for all projects anticipated in the future. Lathan Associates is based out of Hoover, Shelby County and has 27 employees.