Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Chad Shealy received an early Christmas present from the district’s Board of Trustees.

The trustees Thursday voted 5-0 to extended Shealy’s contract and raised his salary from $168,800 to $180,000 a year. Board president Jim Stirgus Sr. said the trustees’ action extends Shealy’s contract with the school system through 2023. “He’s doing a good job, our scores are continuing to go up and we are expanding and we hope to keep him here at (the) Vicksburg Warren School District,” Stirgus said.

“I am humbled and thankful for the ever-present support of my board,” Shealy said. “I count it one of the most incredible privileges of my life to serve this community. My family and I love being Vicksburgers.”

Shealy was hired as superintendent in October 2013 at a salary of $120,000 a year. He replaced Elizabeth Swinford, who resigned to take the position of superintendent of the Tuscaloosa, Ala., County School District.

In other action, the board approved bids for three separate projects involving Bovina and South Park Elementary schools and Vicksburg and Warren Central Junior highs. Brookhaven contractor Paul Jackson & Sons was the low bidder on all three.

The projects are part of the school district’s $131.5 million facilities plan involving repairs, renovations and expansions at each of the district’s 13 schools and the construction of one new building. The capital improvements plan is funded in part by an $83 million bond issue:

• Paving the parking lot area at Bovina Elementary, $1.95 million.

During discussion on the Bovina project, Gary Bailey, project manager for Dale Bailey Architects, told the trustees the access drive to the parking area was county property, recommending the trustees talk with the Warren County Board of Supervisors about paving the road.

• Two classrooms at South Park Elementary, $1.1 million.

• Bailey said the Vicksburg and Warren Central Junior high bids were bid as one project, adding bidding both projects as one job was cheaper than bidding them separately.

• Interior renovations at Vicksburg and Warren Central Junior High schools, including ceilings, lights, flooring, mechanical, electric and general finish renovations as needed at both campuses, $11.48 million.

Both schools will have a new front entry addition and Warren Central Junior High will have a dining addition.

Vicksburg Junior High will have renovations of the gym lobby area and new auditorium seating. Both campuses will get new marker boards and tack boards.

Bailey said the VJHS and WCJHS projects were bid as one project to save money.

• In a related matter, the board approved a $5.19 million contract with Alliant Construction, a Division of Ergon Construction, for work at Warren Central High School that includes stadium lighting, the design and construction of a softball field and a weight room building.