The Center ISD Board of Trustees agreed to move forward with the purchase of air conditioning and heating units for the intermediate and middle school gymnasiums as part of the Malone Street campus improvements.

Before shipping, the costs will be in the neighborhood of $43,000.

At last night’s meeting, Superintendent Dr. James Hockenberry said the purchase will come through the Buyboard to save money and time. He said the cost is substantially lower due to needing only three units rather than four originally—two for the middle school and one for the intermediate school, and going through the purchasing cooperative.

Hockenberry said the renovation projects are now out for proposal through the architect. In addition, the blueprints and project manuals are in hand for the middle and intermediate schools, and stadium field house. He said all proposals should be in by the July 16 meeting for consideration and possible approval by the board.

Center ISD Trustees also approved the lone bid for transportation fuel for the 2015-16 school year with R&D Distributing and among the new employees is Mike Miller, Center High School assistant principal.

Miller comes to Center from the Rusk ISD where he served as band director for 16 years.

His wife was also hired as a writing teacher at the middle school, plus they will have three children in the Center ISD.