A lack of rainfall earlier this month has given a tremendousboost to construction at Brookhaven High School, officials told theBrookhaven School Board Tuesday at the monthly meeting.

“We’ve accomplished quite a lot in the last month,” said RobertFreeman of Barranco Architects and Carothers ConstructionManagement.

The carpet and tiles have been laid in several areas of the eastand west wings and should be completed in a couple of weeks,Freeman said.

“We’re also getting ready to put the last coat of paint on allthe classrooms,” he said. “We’re about down to the wire.”

Freeman said that equipment has been hooked up and almostcompleted in all three rooms of the science laboratories.

In the existing building, however, several tasks remainunfinished, especially in the auditorium area, Freeman said. Crewsare working to finish the job by January, he said.

Much of the landscape around the new school on Monticello Streethas also gained some attention in the last month. Constructiontrailers and equipment have been removed, allowing the grounds tobe leveled.

“We’re ready to start the irrigation and the sod right behindit,” Freeman said, adding that sidewalks should be finished whenthe rain slacks up again.

Board members were delighted by the report on the amount ofprogress evident since their meeting in October.

“It looks very good, and I think we’ll all be very pleased,”said board member Dan Brown Jr.

In other matters, Superintendent Dr. Sam Bounds informed boardmembers about a list of donations to the school district, includingover $11,000 worth of computer equipment from WorldComCommunications.

Board chairman Carl Aycock mentioned how thankful he was for thedonations and how important they are to the district.

Bounds also pointed out to board members two $750 grants givento Lipsey and Martin Schools for landscaping projects.

Another point of interest mentioned by Bounds was the success ofa recent report card pickup day in the district.

Elementary grades had at least 90 percent of parents visit theschools and the teachers that day, while junior high and highschool grades ranged from 77-87 percent.

“Those are high percentages of participation,” Bounds said. “Itis very effective.”

Board members also complimented performances by Brookhaven HighSchool band members Ben Cameron and Geoffrey Philabaum, who playedfor the board at the open of the meeting.

Both of the seniors plan to try out for the Lions All-StateBand. BHS band directors said Cameron and Philabaum are just two ofthe reasons the band has received all-superior ratings four yearsin a row.

The next scheduled board meeting will be 6 p.m., Dec. 20, ratherthan Dec. 25, since that is Christmas Day.