Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Covington County Board of Education approved an increase in pay for board members and also elected a new vice president during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The board voted to approve the increase in board compensation from $600 per month to $900 per month effective immediately in accordance with state law.

This approval falls in line with the state’s cap for the pay of school board members.

John “Sonny” Thomasson was elected as the next vice president. Thomasson will take the position on Dec. 1. Dr. James Barton will complete the remainder of his two-year term as the current board president.

In other business, the board also approved the purchase of approximately five acres adjacent to Red Level School at a purchase price of $5,000 per acre plus closing cost. This land will be used to construct a storm shelter for the school. It is also part of a plan for the board to have storm shelters constructed at each county school.

The board set the next meeting date for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m., at the central office.

Following the meeting, the board hosted a reception for outgoing board member James “Jimmy” Rodgers who completed 24 years of service. Jed Blackwell was elected to replace Rodgers and begin a six-year term at the next meeting.