The Wilkes County Board of Education announced the dedication of a press box to a long-time supporter, chose the construction company to build the new middle school/high school complex, and picked a local man to be the construction project's coordinator.

In the absence of Chairman Ricky Callaway, Vice-chairman Bob Guin led the regular March meeting of the board.

After consulting with the family of Billy Cofer, school superintendent Joyce Williams announced that the press box at the Tiger baseball field will be dedicated in Cofer's memory at an April 21 ball game.

A sign was in the bidding process, she said.

After reviewing construction bids and resumes in a work session last week, board members chose Torrence Construction Company of LaGrange, Ga., as the constructionmanagement at-risk firm to build the complex, and chose Claude Bolton of Washington as project coordinator.

The selection of a construction company and a project coordinator is the next step in bringing the planned high school/middle school complex from the planning stage to breaking ground by later this year.

Board members were invited to the retirement party for Vernilla Clark, who has served the school system for 37 years. Her family is hosting a reception in her honor Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m. at the elementary school.

Williams also said that James Callaway was working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to get signs directing traffic the bypass and from Robert Toombs Avenue to Tiger Stadium.

She also reported that the initiative to improve lighting in school parking lots is finished, and that all the granite markers at schools have been pressure washed.

Guin then opened bids for two school buses need. Bluebird Company was the low bidder for each, with bids of $65,688.85 for the large bus, and $47,963.88 for the minibus. The board accepted the bids.

Board members discussed the need to change policy on the capitalization of capital assets, bringing system policy in line with state audit policies. The revisions will be voted on in the April meeting.

In an executive session, the Board accepted the personnel recommendations from each principal for the school year 2006-2007.