Board of education recognizes math, basketball champs

The Board of Education opened its April 19 meeting by recognizing two Homewood High School winning teams.

The math team won state championships for the fourth year in a row, this year in all three categories of geometry, algebra II and comprehensive math. Also, the basketball team was honored for their recent state championship win. Superintendent Bill Cleveland noted that the team's seniors had loss-free seasons their freshman and sophomore years, as well as a trip to the Final Four their junior year.

Cleveland also noted this season gave Coach Tim Shepler his 500th win.

"This is the best team you can find, led by a great coach but, more importantly, a great person," Cleveland said.

The board also:

• Approved a $22,878 bid from Johnstone Supply for HVAC equipment, and a $122,760 bid for equipment for a 10 Gb wide area network.
• Approved a renewal of a contract for UAB's employee assistance and counseling center, at a rate of $2.25 per member per month.
• Approved payment of $1,700 in total to use Samford's football stadium for an Aug. 18 game against Pelham High School. This is part of a two-year agreement for Homewood and Pelham to play the first game in the state.
• Accepted a grant from the state Department of Health to install shade structures at Hall-Kent's outdoor classroom and back field.
• Accepted a total of $77,613 in grants from the Homewood City Schools foundation, including fall and spring grants, technology grants and $2,500 for the Teacher Impact Award Winners.
• Approved the 2016-2017 work schedule for school employees.
• Heard their audit report for the year. The board finished the year with a nearly $2 million net increase to their general fund.

The board will hold its annual meeting on May 17 at the board offices.