School board uses new funds to purchase land

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
With the county school system's finances drastically improved, the Franklin County school board voted to purchase several pieces of property during last Thursday night's regular meeting.
The land will be used for facility upgrades at the Red Bay, Phil Campbell and Vina campuses.
The board approved the purchase of land adjacent to Red Bay High School for $29,000. The lot, which was purchased from Don Holcomb, will square the campus and provide the school with more storage facilities.
The board also purchased two acres of land adjacent to Vina High School for $7,000. Plans call for a baseball field to be built on the land sometime in the future.
The largest of the land acquisitions will provide much needed parking space at the Phil Campbell campus.
The board purchased five vacant lots in Phil Campbell from Citizens Bank and a house from Harold Hargett. The total cost of both purchases will be between $28,000-$29,000.
During the meeting, the board also took the opportunity to commend the Red Bay football team for completing a perfect 10-0 regular season in 2004. The group also recognized quarterback Kurt Kennedy for his selection to the Birmingham News All-State team.
In other action, the board approved a mileage increase from .37 1/2 cents per mile to .40 1/2 cents, effective Feb. 1