Andalusia City Schools Superintendent Ted Watson pitched a proposal for the use of the city’s sales tax for education in FYE 2017-18 to the city council Tuesday.

The proposed expenditures of $1.1 million focus primarily on infrastructure and technology, with a half million being set aside for renovations of the Andalusia High School stadium and auditorium. The board of education currently is in the design phase of those projects, expected to ultimately top $8 million

Watson’s proposal included:

• $500,000 for the renovation of the stadium and auditorium.
• $110,000 to continue the lease of 300 Apple laptops acquired last year. Watson said the system can lease the computers for three years, and at the end of that time, the computers can be purchased for $1 each.

Watson said all 300 computers went to Andalusia High School, and are used in the classroom.

“We have the teachers request carts with the laptops for students to use for writing projects or other assignments in class,” he said.

• $325,000 for the maintenance of facilities, with the first priority being a new roof on the blue wing of Andalusia Elementary, expected to cost $200,000. Other projects include completing the softball field at AHS, and replacing rear windows on Old Main.
• $75,000 for the continuation of the music program at AHS.
• $75,000 for the creation of a coding curriculum to be offered at AHS.
• $15,000 in contingency.

The council took no action on the request.

In other business, the council:

• Reappointed Mike Holloway South Alabama Regional Airport Authority.
• Appointed Mike Ward to the Andalusia Industrial Board.