The Opp Board of Education passed two resolutions to help the school system save money.

The board voted unanimously to approve the low bid to replace the lighing retrofits at the high school and middle school.

Superintendent Michael Smithart said PowerSouth recently completed an energy audit for the system and concluded that by making this change they would see the pay back in three to four years in energy savings.

The bid was awarded to Birmingham-based Ecofficient Energy Solutions for the amount of $125,531.07, which includes parks and labor and the recycling fee of $3,484.50.

The project will be paid for using a portion of Qualified School Construction Bonds the system has for school construction projects.

“We are replacing every light at Opp High School and Opp Middle School,” superintendent Smithart said. “After July they will no longer make T-12 bulbs like we currently have at the schools.”

In addition, the board voted to approve a consortium bid with Covington County Schools for the child nutrition program.

CNP director Heather Short said the joint bid allows for the systems to receive better deals on bread, ice cream and milk.

“The main objective is to get a quality product at a good unit price, which is why we join efforts with Covington County Schools,” she said.

The low bid for bread went to Sara Lee Baking Co., for $47,035, which gives the systems the most quantity per dollar.

The bids for ice cream and milk were awarded to Blue Bell Creameries and Barbers.

The board also amended the 2010-2011 school calendar to change spring break to March 14-18.

“We’ll work with parents on an individual basis, if they have already made plans,” Smithart said.

In other business, the board approved the following personnel changes:

• transferred Shannon Clark from OMS history teacher to OHS history teacher;

• transferred Patricia Gacha from OHS Spanish teacher to OMS Spanish teacher;

• approved employment for Jimmy Reeves as OHS assistant principal;

• approved employment for Julia Phillips as OHS English teachers;

• accepted the resignation of Juan Johnson as OHS history teacher.