Neville High School alumni, students, and supporters were happy with the Monroe City School Board's decision to approve a $7.5 million renovation contract in their meeting Thursday night.
The unanimous 7-0 vote came after more than a month of debate over whether the board would approve the renovation or seek to close the school and build a new facility.
"I expected exactly that outcome," said Neville senior William Wooten. He felt the 84 year old building would be renovated, despite recent concerns over the aging school.
The contract had been expected to be considered in the board's June 17 meeting. President Rodney McFarland canceled the meeting to look into worries he was made aware of in emails about the building's condition. McFarland and Vice President Brenda Shelling toured the school with fire marshal officials and reviewed inspection reports.
Following the visit, they questioned the viability of keeping the school opened. McFarland says the outpouring of support and gaetting answers about the project led to the unified vote.
Shelling says she still has reservations about the project. "The health factor. The mold in the building, the ceiling tiles that might fall, those are health and safety issues," she said. In spite of the large turnout of support, Shelling mused, "education is not about a building, it is what happens in the building."
The contract was awarded to Traxler Construction, who submitted the lowest of three bids the board received for the project. Work is to begin in mid-August, with completion expected in spring 2017.