At Thursday’s board of education meeting, Opp Superintendent Michael Smithart said teachers and high school students will begin moving furniture into the new Opp Elementary School next Monday.

“We’re very excited to have our students and teachers moving into a first-class facility,” Smithart said following the meeting. “One of the best reflections of a city’s priorities is how well it funds its schools, and the condition of its schools, and this is something that the whole community of Opp can be proud of.”

Smithart said construction is completed at the building, and it underwent its final inspection yesterday. Beginning next week, students and teachers will begin moving teachers’ belongings from the old South Highlands Elementary School to the new OES.

“(Opp City Schools) entered into an agreement to partner with some of our athletic teams and other clubs at the high school,” he said. “They’ll help with the moving process, and in turn, the OCS will provide a donation to their respective clubs, teams and organizations.”

The first day of school at OES, which is located at 27098 Bobcat Dr., is Aug. 10.

In other business, the board:

Approved increases to the schools’ lunch prices for the 2009-10 school year. Lunches at OES will increase from $1.50 to $1.60, lunches at Opp Middle School will increase from $1.50 to $1.60, and lunches at Opp High School will increase from $1.50 to $1.75. Breakfast prices will remain the same.

“We know these are hard times to make a price increase, but it was necessary to keep the child nutrition program financially viable,” Smithart said. “We were able to avoid increasing the lunch prices last year, but unfortunately we can’t do the same thing this year. I still believe we are well below the state average.”

Approved the transfers of Ronnie Moseley to Opp High School science teacher/coach, Robin Spurlin to OHS science teacher, Kristy Meeks to OMS math teacher, Sally King to OMS math teacher, Debra Wilson to OMS social studies teacher, John Donaldson to OMS social studies teacher and Lance McCollough to OMS technology. Also approved the hires of Patti Spann, OES teacher; Astrid Evers, OMS science teacher; and Janet Anderson, OMS secretary/bookkeeper.

Awarded several child nutrition program bids for the 2009-10 school year. Sara Lee Food and Beverage Company was awarded the bread bid of $62,774; G.B. White, Inc. (Barber’s) was awarded the milk bid of $0.199 per carton; and Blue Bell Creameries was awarded the ice cream bid of $12,132.

Heard a presentation by Brian Free with Carr, Riggs and Ingram, who presented the 2008-09 financial audit. Free said the system was given an “unqualified” ranking, which means it had no significant errors.

“Your financial staff did a fine job and the board is lucky to have such a hard-working and trustworthy staff,” Free said.

Smithart agreed with Free’s opinion.

“I’d like to publicly thank Mrs. (Linda) Banks and the job her staff is doing,” he said. “It’s nice to not have to worry about that.”