TIFTON — The Tift County Board of Education was updated about the high school expansion progress at the April 4 workshop meeting.

Director of operations Robbie Dasher presented the updates to the board.

The high school construction project is continuing on schedule despite the recent rain slowing down pouring concrete for the new classroom wing, but once the weather clears that should go ahead. The agriculture and health care science lab areas are taking shape, and the new staff parking lot has been completed.

Resurfacing the track at the high school has been completed, but the project is still showing up on the report because the final payment has not been collected.

Superintendent Patrick Atwater told the board that two different large, regional track meets have requested permission to use the TCHS track to host their competitions because of the quality of the new surface, which will bring a large number of competitors to the community.

Several students from Tift County High School were recognized for recent achievements.

Jarrett Hobbs and Mary Kathryn Howard were recognized as finalists for the National Merit Scholarship for 2017 by TCHS guidance counselor Jean Guzman.

Howard was also recognized for being the regional STAR student as well as just being named TCHS’s valedictorian.

Guzman also recognized Jared Larger for being a Commended Student the National Merit Program.

Chandler Mathis is the TCHS representative in the running for the 2017 US Presidential Scholar for arts.

Wrestling coach Shawn Watson recognized his wrestling team seniors. Dalton Burkes, who is the first state champion from TCHS in 20 years, Jake Pratt, who has placed twice on the state level, and Charley Powell, who placed fourth at state this year.

Career Training and Education Metals teacher John Tucker and construction teacher Mickey Bentley recognized their TCHS SkillsUSA team for their successful performance at the 2017 Regional Skills Competition at Southern Regional Technical College.

Jackson Bailey, Alex Barlow, Brady Booth, Andrew Bruner, John Cheek, Charlie Cottle, Trey Davis, Larry Hernandez, James Hester, Kyle Hudgens, Jose Lopez, Ben Mascorro, Kyler Pate, Chandler Pitts, Blake Smith, Ruben Reyes, Felipe Rodriguez, Beau Stone, Shane Watts, Keenan Webb, Jamicah Whitehead, Johnna Young and Enrique Zuniga were recognized.

Mechatronics teacher Andrew Scarborough recognized Chandler Lovett, Lee Owen, Declen Parker and Braden Weeks for their performance in the mechatronics and robotics competitions.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved, and the consent agenda, consisting of one fundraising project, one travel request, moving several items into surplus and a request to rent buses by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, was presented for review by the board.

The board was also asked to continue their review the 2017 Georgia School Board Association’s positions on various pieces of legislation.

TCHS Principal Kim Seigler presented the high school’s improvement plan to the board as well.