By By LISA TINDELL and KERRY WHIPPLE BEAN – The Brewton Standard
Brewton city school officials are budgeting $11 million for construction of a new middle school in fiscal year 2007.
The new school is part of a five-year capital plan that also includes stadium and athletic field improvements as well as renovations for other facilities.
Each year, the school board must submit a capital plan to the state department of education.
The middle school has been planned for the past two years, although no site has been chosen yet for the new facility.
Funds for the projects planned over five years will come from state funds and a $17.5 million bond issue. The state funds come through a statewide, 3-mill ad valorem tax administered through the city.
Smith said the bond issue payments will be made through the funds from the 10-mill ad valorem tax passed in 2003, capital purchase funds from the state department of education, oil and gas severance taxes and the school warrant account.
The school board has also been saving over the past three years for the upcoming projects.
The capital plan includes the ongoing projects of kindergarten renovation and roof renovations. Smith said Monday the renovations are &#8220moving along” at the kindergarten.
At the beginning of the school year, there will be four classes at the current kindergarten facility and two kindergarten classes held at Brewton Elementary.