The Selma City School Board discussed the upcoming vote for a first read to close Byrd First Class Learning Center and Cedar Park Elementary School at their board work session on Wednesday.

This recommendation comes from Selma City School Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams, who has spent the last few months working with a group to examine each facility that the school system has, and to consider the feasibility in each building.

“This is going to be a hard process,” said Williams. “It is going to be challenging.”

The school board will vote on the first reading at their next meeting.

Williams said things could change in the recommendation depending on how the board votes.

Williams also said that she plans to have a public meeting to allow citizens to have their input in the recommendation.

Williams presented capacity numbers that showed most of the schools in the system not being utilized fully with student enrollment and noted the decrease in student enrollment that has declined each year.

At the beginning of November, the board heard a facility report concerning Byrd.

Byrd was reported to have many problems, according to the architecture report.

“In general, the original building has limited Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access and outdated electrical and mechanical systems,” the assessment states. “There appears to be major structural concerns with the original 1919 building in particularly the floor framing systems, as well as roof leaks and environmental issues. The later additions, though appearing to be of good structural condition, have limited ADA compliance, roof leaks and environmental issues, especially in the unoccupied wing. The school does not have an activities gym or adequate site circulation or parking.”

The assessment states to bring Byrd Elementary to current day operational and code standards, a complete renovation is needed at an estimated cost of approximately $115 per square foot or $4,255,000. This does not include fees, environmental studies, geotechnical investigations, special inspections or the addition of gymnasium and parking.

The biggest issue of Byrd, the hall flooring, would alone cost an estimated $1 million to repair.

Williams said should the board approve the first reading and ultimately approve the recommendation that further assessments would be needed to make sure that more space could be utilized.