The Polk School Board approved several new policies during the regular session monthly meeting Tuesday night.

One of the items on the agenda was a recommendation to request a waiver from the state on number of school counselor's the district was required to hire.

Superintendent Marvin Williams said the district was allotted a certain number of counselors they were required to hire for each school. Williams placed a proposal before the board to reduce the number of counselors for each school to one for the elementary schools and middle schools and two for each high school.

According to Williams, no additional jobs would be cut. Counselors who have already transferred out of their positions would not be replaced.

"We would have to move some positions around but that's it," Williams said.

Board member Jane Holbrooks disagreed with the proposal.

"Counselors are not just there for students," Holbrooks said. "They are there for staff and parents too and they face a lot of responsibilities."

The board approved the measure in a 4-1 vote with Dan Forsyth, Susan Berry, Tim Turner and Chuck Thaxton voting for and Jane Holbrooks voting against.

The waiver must be approved by the State Department of Education.

Other proposals

The board approved a proposal to have a tankless hot water system installed in the Cedartown High School gym.

Greg Robinson Construction was awarded the contract with a $36,500 bid with an additional hourly rate of $97.50 for unforeseen problems with plumbing.

Tom Reily, director of facilities, said he contacted several contractors about the work, but only Greg Robinson Construction gave a bid.

Board member Susan Berry asked to that the cost of any additional work be capped of 15 percent.

The proposal passed unanimously with a 15 percent cap on spending above $36,500.

The board also passed a proposal to purchase dual enrollment textbooks for the first semester for $1,089.31.

Williams said the books would be used by Polk School District students in dual enrollment classes at either Georgia Highlands College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College. The books will be the property of the school district.

The proposal passed 4-1 with Jane Holbrooks, Susan Berry, Dan Forsyth and Tim Turner voting for and Chuck Thaxton voting against.