Most of a 4½-hour Cherokee County Board of Education meeting last Tuesday (April 23) night was spent behind closed doors.

The gathering began with a 20-minute executive session before the board moved through about 30 minutes of normal business.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Chairman Tommy McDaniel called for a second executive session for a disciplinary hearing involving a Gaylesville student and “name and character of an employee.” It was nearly 10:30 before that lengthy discussion behind closed doors concluded with the only action being to expel the Gaylesville student for the remainder of the school year, with a re-evaluation at the beginning of the next school year.

A week earlier, the board held two special meetings, both for executive sessions, including one that lasted 2½ hours. Three employees were placed on leave pending an nvestigation following those meetings. That investigation is on-going, according to Supt. Kay Davis, who said several other displinary hearings are set for this week.

During the open portion of the meeting, the Board approved a base bid for $311,000 by CDB Construction of Kingston, Ga., for Gaylesville School toilet renovation. David Oliver gave a detailed account of the restroom project which will connect the main elementary building to the cafeteria.

Oliver explained that the need for firewalls, new sewer lines and rerouting and updating of the fire alarm and electrical system add to the cost of the project.

The work will be done in three phases, the board was advised, so the school will not be without restroom facilities.

Also approved was $5,000 per secondary school to upgrade their science labs with new equipment.

Oliver told the board of drainage problems at Cedar Bluff High School at the locker room next to the stadium. He said the problem can be taken care of through maintenance and with help from the City of Cedar Bluff in blowing out the sewer lines.

The board also was updated on the condition of the Centre Middle School gymnasium floor. Oliver said a testing lab would put a moisture meeting on the slab. Estimates on the cost to repair the floor run $5,000.

Reconstruction of the new metal bleachers at Gaylesville should take place during the summer, Oliver said.

The board approved an amendment in the 2002-03 school calendar, moving a weather day from May 5 to March 7.

A military leave of absence was approved for Steve Sumners for May 22-28 and June 19-25.

The board approved the hiring of Christina Johnson as CNP manager and Lisa Tallent as assistant CNP manager, both at Gaylesville School.

Supt. Davis introduced Cedar Bluff sophomore Steven Blay-lock, who performed the National Anthem on his fiddle