SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The Baldwin County Board of Education held a special meeting Monday to discuss — and later, vote on — the need to include forgotten sewer connections at Spanish Fort High School’s athletic facility.

Board members voted unanimously to fund the entire project cost not exceeding $259,500.

It was realized that construction continued on the stadium before sewer lines were added, however, sewer at the stadium had been a discussion at planning meetings for some time. Sewer options were taken out of the bid document at some point, but it is unsure at this time when or by whom, school board officials said.

“It all just came down to an oversight, a miscommunication,” Eddie Tyler, assistant superintendent responsible for planning and construction, said. 

The cost to complete the sewage project will be $259,500 out of the capital bond money, according to Jean McCutchen, chief school financial officer and director of business and finance for Baldwin County public schools.

The capital construction fund is used when new facilities are constructed within the school system. The school system also has one of the highest possible bond ratings, according to Terry Wilhite, school board spokesman.

The Baldwin County Board of Education received $150 million in bond money in 2006 to aid in the construction of new schools and expansion of existing ones. This money comes from the open bond market on Wall Street in New York City, Wilhite said.

“It’s more than a delay, it’s a ridiculous oversight,” Robert Wills, District 2 board member, said. “I’m tired of us paying for other people’s mistakes.”

The board has just under $2.9 million in its capital construction fund, however, the expected the cost of expansion at

Rockwell Elementary will be $1.5 to $2 million. This would leave approximately $889,000 remaining in the fund, McCutchen said.

The purpose of this fund is for all of the money to be spent for construction and expansion, according to Wilhite.

“We can sit up here and argue over who missed the boat … the sewer has got to be put in” Frank Trione, District 1 board member, said. “Let’s do it and finish the job.”

“Now that the board has voted, the project will progress full speed ahead,” Wilhite said.