By Justin Averette

The Chilton County Board of Education discussed Jan. 19 tightening policies that allow some seniors to work or attend college classes during school hours.
The board adopted the state’s guidelines on early release in December, but some board members said those policies weren’t clearly defined.
Board member Joe Mims said the county should adopt stricter rules to make sure students are in class or at work during school hours.
“I love for us to tighten it up,” he said.
Mims suggested that students should be in the system’s co-op program, enrolled in community college classes or show proof of employment to be let out of school early.
Superintendent Keith Moore said it would be difficult to change the program now, since the semester has already started. The BOE could add to those guidelines for next year though.
In the meantime, board members asked Moore to ask principals to check and make sure all students in the program this year have enough credits to graduate and have passed all portions of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.
Maplesville High School Principal Maggie Hicks, who was at Tuesday’s board meeting, said every student in the program at MHS met both those requirements.
The board also voted to:
•Move forward with bids and preliminary architecture work for gym renovations at Verbena and Maplesville and roof repairs at LeCroy Career/Technical Center.