During their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Nov. 8, the Haralson County Board of Education recognized the Teachers of the Year from each school and presented them with awards and gifts.

The following teachers were named teachers of the year at their respective schools: Heather Whitton of Tallapoosa Primary School, Kim Vines of West Haralson Elementary School, Coach Charles Rampy of Haralson County Middle School, Jessica Bentley of Haralson County High School, Paula Roberts of Buchanan Elementary School, and Amanda West of Buchanan Primary School. Amanda West was also named District Teacher of the Year and will represent Haralson County at the State Board of Education.

In other business, the board approved a motion to pay for the cost of installing a light at the intersection of Highway 120 and Estavanko Road so that officers directing traffic in the morning will be visible to motorists. The light will cost $3,000 and be paid for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.

The board also passed a motion to enter into a partnership agreement with All Star Drivers to provide an after-school drivers education course for high school students. There will be a $299 fee for students who wish to take the course, which will be available after school and on the weekends.

A motion was also approved to enter into a contract with Smart Bus Live, which will equip some of the county school buses with cameras. The cameras will capture film of vehicles illegally passing buses. Violators will be issued a ticket.

The company will outfit between 10 and 30 percent of the bus fleet with these cameras in an effort to prosecute traffic violators and reduce the number of violations, as passing buses when they are loading or unloading children is illegals as well as an extreme safety hazard.

The board also decided to no longer offer health benefits to board members as the cost to both the school system and individual members has gone up.

During executive session, the board approved a motion to enter into a lease agreement with the City of Tallapoosa to use the city’s gym located at 261 Robertson Ave. The city will lease the gym to the board for $1 a year for 10 years. The school system will be responsible for maintenance and insurance for the facility.

The board also approved a motion in executive session to sell property the system owns on Business Highway 27 in Buchanan to GENCO Enterprises, LLC for $130,000.

The next Board of Education regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 4.