PELHAM – The Pelham Board of Education passed a resolution approving the purchase of the city’s old library building at a school board meeting on Monday, June 25. The old library will be transformed into the school system’s central office.

Since its inception four years ago, Pelham City Schools’ central office has been housed on the second floor of the city of Pelham’s Water Works building. PCS has outgrown the space and is in need of a new place to call home.

The school board purchased the 0.52-acre property from the city of Pelham for $1.3 million. The school board will pay $10,000 monthly to the city for 10 years and 10 months at no interest. The board also authorized the board president to execute a promissory note, mortgage and other customary closing documents related to the purchase of the building.

Board member Paul Howell pointed out that Mayor Gary Waters was the first person to propose the idea for the old library to be sold to the school board.

“It was 18 to 24 months ago that the mayor first pointed out that he’d like to have us close by,” Howell said. “That’s how this got started and it’s just great to know that we have that support from city hall for the school system.”

Board vice president Angie Hester said the board had its heart set on acquiring the old library. She said the library transaction is indicative of the relationship the school board has with the city.

The school board is working on a timeline for the former library’s renovation.

On other business, the school board:

-Approved 15 personnel recommendations from the superintendent.
-Approved policy changes for the 2018-19 school year as noted in the Policy Revisions for 2018-19 document. This document includes changes related to the Code of Conduct, Policy Manual and Employee Handbook.
-Approved the 2018-19 pay guidelines for miscellaneous applications.
-Approved the Extracurricular Supplement Schedule.
-Approved a field trip for the PHS band to travel to Powder Spring, Georgia for a competition.
-Approved a field trip for the cross country team to travel to Brevard, North Carolina for a competition.

The next school board meeting will be July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Pelham City Hall in the Council Chambers.