Board approves $4.2 million contract for Pine Level property

What happened

On August 11, 2026 the board approved a $4.2 million contract to buy the Ace Hardware property in Pine Level, next to land the district already owns. The superintendent said it would bring the site to about 40 acres, enough under state rules for a future secondary school, and the building could be used for other needs. The sale is not final: the board must vote again after 3-4 months of due diligence.

Why it matters to families

This is one of the district's largest purchases, paid from reserves, which would fall from about 7 months to about 6.5 months of spending. The superintendent tied it to growth around Marbury and Pine Level and to the chance that Prattville forms its own city school system.

The evidence

In the August 11, 2026 meeting video the superintendent describes the 17,000-square-foot property, the $4.2 million contract price and the effect on reserves, and the board votes on his recommendation. In a public presentation on August 14 he says about 700 students living outside Prattville city limits attend Prattville schools and that a final vote is required before closing.

The source