Funds OK'd for buses, science equipment

By Staff
The Madison Board of Education has approved the purchase of seven new school buses, more than $130,000 for science equipment, and an architect to design the new addition to Discovery Middle School.
The seven school buses will come from Transportation South at a cost of $420,000. Five of the buses will have air conditioning with several containing compartments for storage during out-of-town trips. One is a minibus equipped for special-needs students.
The school board also approved a $130,500 bid to purchase science equipment throughout the city's eight schools. Among the items to be purchased includes high-powered microscopes with computer and projector capabilities.
In other business, the school board has hired Fuqua Osborn Architects to design the addition to Discovery Middle School. The addition will include 20 classrooms and a band room. The addition will cost $4 million with its construction set for next February. The addition will be completed in time for the beginning of the 2004 school year.