By KATHLEEN JOHNSTON

/ Staff Writer

CALERA – Shelby County Schools board members approved an alternate construction bid last week that will add 15 more classrooms to the in-progress Calera High School.

“With the growth in Calera, the dynamics out there, they decided to go back and accept the alternate,” said Randy Reeves, facilities and maintenance coordinator for the district.

Earlier this year, U.S. Census Bureau statistics showed Calera as the fastest growing city in the state, having grown more than 160 percent since 2000.

The construction of additional second-floor classrooms adds $794,000 to the $24.8 million project, Reeves said.

Completion of the project is set for July 1.

“We’re hopeful, and the contractor is diligently working to try to bring all of it in on time,” Reeves said. “Whatever we do, it will not jeopardize the opening.