Construction to rebuild the Pollard-McCall Junior High School library and two classrooms can begin now that the Escambia County School Board approved an emergency bid for the project Thursday.

The library and two classrooms were destroyed this summer when fire engulfed the structure. No students were in the building at the time of the fire, however the building was a total loss.

Billy Hines, superintendent of education, said the construction project was awarded to Bayshore Contracting at a cost of $389,000.

“We expect the building to be complete and ready to occupy by next school year,” Hines said. “The contractors say 150 working days, but that doesn’t account for delays and weather issues during the construction phase.”

During Thursday’s meeting the board members also heard a report concerning the sale of surplus transportation items.

Julie Madden, chief financial officer spoke on behalf of Randall Little, who serves as transportation director for the county system.

“Saraland Schools purchased five of the six buses being sold,” Madden told the board. “We made in excess of $27,000 on this sale. We had spare buses and some trucks for sale. We sold everything up for sale.”

Board members also approved the construction of two classrooms at Huxford Elementary School.

“The cost of the project is $291,800,” Mike Goolsby, board president, said. “The entire project is being funded by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.”