The Lawrence County Board of Education gave final approval to go ahead with the Hatton High construction project after costs were cut slightly from the original plan.

Superintendent Heath Grimes discussed the project with the board in his report before Monday’s meeting. The board had voted to give Grimes the authority to proceed after the value engineering work was done, but he wanted to get verbal approval of the final plan before proceeding.

Grimes said several cost-cutting moves were discussed, including turning the high school to face north, the same direction as the gym, but those were never firm plans. The project as finalized will cost $2.4 million and the new building will be built in the same footprint as the current building that will be torn down. The new building will face east, toward Ala. 101, as the current building does, and will have a rock front that will look similar to the current old building, Grimes said.

District 2 board member Gary Bradford said the community was pleased with the plan and was anxious for the project to begin.

Bradford, Grimes and District 5 board member Reta Waldrep were all sworn in before the meeting by Probate Judge Mike Praytor. Grimes and Bradford were re-elected to their positions for another term, and Waldrep won the election for the seat left vacant by Wendell Logan, who retired from the board and did not seek re-election.

The board approved several personnel moves, but two in particular that replaced key central office employees.

The board accepted the retirement of Gloria Smith as elementary supervisor and hired Rosa Allen Cooper in her place. The board also approved the transfer of Gaylon Parker from principal at Moulton Middle to personnel supervisor and CNP director, replacing Theresa Summers, who is also retiring at the end of this semester.

In other personnel moves, the board approved the following:

•Employment: Victoria King-RAH, English Language Arts teacher, effective December 4; America Peralas-HTES, Custodian, effective December 4; Amber Murray-HTES Pre-K, temporary part-time no benefits on an as needed basis, instructional aide effective Jan. 2, Mollie Bradford - Speake, teacher effective Dec. 4; Heather Horner-MES, teacher effective Dec. 4; Clay Patterson- temporary, part-time, no benefits, on an as needed basis, Indian Education instructional aide at $11.98 hr. not to exceed 19 hours week effective Dec. 4; Charissa Smith- temporary teacher effective November 1, 2012 through May 24, 2013. (Cindy White leave)

The board’s next meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m.