Andalusia school board moves forward with AES expansion

Board members hope to have addition done by August 2026

The Andalusia Board of Education approved unanimously Tuesday to begin moving forward with a project that will expand Andalusia Elementary School classroom space.

The measure allows for Superintendent Dr. William Shakespeare to begin working with the architectural firm of McKee & Associates to proceed with design plans, moving the system closer to the construction phase. Board members expressed that they would like to have the project completed and ready for students by August 2026.

While the plan could still change, the one most recently presented will add 16 new classrooms, a gym, and a cafeteria area. There will be shared bathrooms between every two classrooms as well as a common bathroom area. A portion of the addition will be architecturally hardened to meet FEMA standards as a shelter area large enough to accommodate the school’s entire population. There will also be some offices for administrators and other personnel.

On the outside, there will be a drop-off and pick-up area for those students in that wing as well as a new parking area.

The project, which the board is considering for Pre-K and kindergarten students, will add over 37,500 square feet to the existing structure and connect to what is commonly referred to as the “yellow hall” on the north side of the existing structure.

In an earlier presentation to the board, Neal Hughes of McKee and Associates estimated the cost for the project to be $15 million. During that meeting, McKee said it could take approximately six months for planning and preparation with actual construction taking about one year.

Other items discussed by the board included:

• approving two bids related to internet access. The first is a 36-month contract with Uniti Fiber to provide WAN services. After discounts provided through the E-Rate program, the cost to the school system is $570 per month.

The second motion accepted a bid from Uniti Fiber for replacing switches and upgrading access points. The E-Rate program provides the system an 85 percent discount on the project, with the final cost for the system to be $40,000.

• approving a bid with AmTab for replacing furniture and making other cosmetic improvements to the AES cafeteria. The bid was $289,700 and will be paid with funds available from the Child Nutrition Program.
• In a report to the board, the superintendent said the system will need to write an updated policy after a state law passed recently calling for no cell phones on campuses during instructional days.
• approving the 2025-26 school calendar. Shakespeare said the calendar is similar to the 24-25 calendar and was selected as the favorite by 63 percent of faculty and staff.
• approving to replace two Combi ovens at no charge to the system. The ovens were purchased at $31,000 each, but have had problems. The company providing the ovens is replacing them at no charge.
• approving for central office and administrators to move to a four-day, 10-hour per day work week from May 26 to July 25.

The board set its next meeting for Monday, April 21, 6 p.m., at the central office.