The Demopolis Board of Education approved a change order to the Demopolis High School improvement project that will save the system money.

The project, which is installing geothermal air conditioning units at DHS, requires multiple loop fields to be dug for piping. The change order approved Tuesday morning will allow valves for all of the loop fields to be put in one box instead of having individual boxes for each loop field.

Superintendent Dr. Al Griffin said the modification of the plans is to be more economical. He said the change would result in savings of $58,575.

The board also approved an agreement with Employment Screening Services during Tuesday’s called meeting. Griffin said the state Department of Education and the Alabama High School Athletic Association are going away from doing background checks on volunteer coaches themselves.

“They’re going to go through this agency, and it’s of no cost to the schools,” Griffin said. “It’s a one-time thing for volunteers, and the results won’t be given to the board.”

In other business, the board passed a resolution of support for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. Griffin said the resolution of support by the board is part of the grant process. He added that the school system has received 21st Century grants in the past.

The board also approved the following personnel recommendations from Griffin:

•Hire Carol Halkais as DHS Spanish teacher

•Approve Jillian Arthur for assistant band director supplement

•Approve Tim Jordan for ROTC supplement

•Hire Kimberly McCrory as U.S. Jones Elementary School special education teacher