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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Soon after a devastating tornado rampaged through the city of Calera on Saturday, March 15, many people in the area rushed to help clean up damage in the places that needed it.

With one of those places being Calera Intermediate School, the Shelby County Schools Maintenance Department took immediate action and got to the school to begin repairs to one of the county’s learning institutions.

As a result of their tireless work and quick response, the Shelby County Schools Board of Education honored the crew with a Journey Shaper Award at a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, March 20 at the Central Office.

“This team worked tirelessly in the aftermath of this weekend’s tornadoes to get the students at Calera Intermediate School back in the classroom,” said. Dr. Lewis Brooks, superintendent of Shelby County Schools. “These guys come in and they make sure the school day is not adversely impacted. They come into school, and there may have been issues, but those guys have been there just making sure everything happens.”

With all of the damage that the school incurred, David Calhoun, assistant superintendent of operations for Shelby County Schools, brought forth an emergency declaration for the school, allowing the board to be able to move swiftly on approving repair orders for getting CIS back in full. 

In addition to the award handed out to the maintenance department, the SCSBOE also approved the adoption of science textbooks and supplemental science resources.

The Science Textbook Committee chose McGraw-Hill as the textbook provider for all grades within Shelby County Schools. In the event the need comes up to purchase any supplemental science options, they will also be allowed to do that in order to pair with the science curriculum provided.

The board also approved the purchasing of cyber insurance for the 2025-2026 school year, allowing for insurance in the case of any mishaps or breeches.

Soon following that approval, the board voted to approve the job description for an OMI building-based math coach, who will help to ensure that teachers have the necessary knowledge of the materials required to teach elementary math courses.

In addition, the SCSBOE also approved bids for a CNP pot and pan scrubber at Montevallo Elementary School, HVAC equipment and additions and renovations to the Career Technical Education Center.

The board also addressed the following items at the meeting:

• Approving the out-of-state field trips for organizations at Helena High School, Columbiana Middle School and Oak Mountain High School
• Approving the payroll and monthly expenditures for the month of February
• Approving personnel actions
• Approving the renewal of a portable classroom lease
• Rejecting a bid for a classroom addition at Helena High School