The Jefferson County Board of Education agreed to option approximately 60 acres of land in the city of Fultondale in order to determine the feasibility of using the property as the site for a new school.

The land, near the intersection of Interstate 65 and Walker Chapel Road, will be optioned by the board for six months while they determine the next step.

Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery said he was pleased with what he calls a “positive step.”

“I would like to say that I appreciate our school board,” Lowery said. “We have been working with them for several years regarding the need for a new school in Fultondale, and we appreciate this step in the right direction.”

Although the board did not comment on exactly what type of facility they are considering, the outcry for a new Fultondale High School has been growing recently. Lowery said the location would also be ideal for nearby students who could potentially be displaced if the proposed separation of Gardendale schools from the county is allowed to proceed.

“I know we still have to see what the federal judge in that case says, but it could be a good option for students in Mt. Olive, Smithfield and Brookside,” Lowery said.

Regardless of the outcome of the case, Lowery hopes the board of education will move forward with a new high school for Fultondale.

“Our children need a newer, better facility,” Lowery said. “I want to see something happen to get our children in the best situation possible. They deserve that.”

In other business related to the area, the school board also:

•approved seeking bids for a number of roofing projects, including the gym and some classrooms at the old Corner school location, the office and classrooms at Mt. Olive Elementary and the art classroom at Bagley.

•approved a request from the Corner Baseball Boosters to allow them to construct a storage facility at the field, at no cost to the board.