The Walker County school board approved an additional $8,000 for projects at Rossville Middle School Tuesday, June 12.

The Rossville Middle building is being renovated, and its auditorium, annex and band room modified.

Updated changes include putting carpet in the weight room instead of covering the floor with ceramic tiling; taking down a wall in a girls restroom to install new plumbing; making room for more storage area space and abandoning plans to put in showers; leaving existing siding over the windows in the weight room; removing the carpet from rooms 148 and 149; and installing new ceramic tile over the existing tile in three restrooms.

These changes added $7,934 to the construction costs, bringing the total to $796,309.

A new gym is also being built at Rossville Middle. The gym will have a concessions area, rest rooms, dressing areas, bleachers and a stage.

- Since the final adoption of the fiscal year 2002 budget will not occur until after July 1, the board approved the expenditure of funds to continue operations of the Walker County School System during July.

- Rock Spring Elementary will receive new furnishings for its mobile classrooms for 2001-02 school year. The school board approved $61,382.50 to purchase new furniture for the classrooms.

- Citing a change in administration, Rock Spring Elementary issued a resolution to decline participation in the state Department of Education’s Intensive Services program for the 2001-02 school year. The board approved the resolution.

- The board approved the signing of the Walker County Board of Health Educational Services Contract. This contract will provide the county with one certified Leadership in Action instructor. This will benefit students with poor attendance, low grades, and/or poor behavior.

- The board approved the Northwestern Technical College and Chattanooga State Technical Community College agreements. The agreements allow students in the nursing and allied health programs to work within the school system under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. The program will not mean additional costs to the county’s budget.

- The board passed the Blind and Low Vision Service agreement. The agreement provides services legally required to blind or visually impaired students to increase scholastic achievement