A conversation between the county's top educator and the county administrator could spur placement of police officers at all the middle schools in the unincorporated county.

County administrator Theron Gay told the Coweta County Board of Commissioners Tuesday afternoon that superintendent of education Richard Brooks asked Gay how receptive the board would be to having a police officer at each school.

Currently, the three middle schools in the county share one officer. Next year, the fourth middle school in the area, Smokey Road, will open with nearly 750 students.

The board seemed amenable to Brooks's suggestion, especially Commissioner Vernon "Mutt" Hunter.

"I think middle schools are one of the areas that need to be looked at," he said.

But Hunter asked Gay to get a written proposal before any action is taken by the board. The commissioner emphasized he wants to see all the facts and figures.

The other commissioners agreed with Hunter and asked Gay to present a written proposal to them at next Tuesday's meeting.

If the board decides to approve the officers, Sheriff Mike Yeager said the officers could be trained over the summer and ready for the beginning of school in August.

In other news, the board:

Agreed to apply for a state grant to upgrade the county jail. Under a state grant program, the county could get up to $976,000 in state funds, if it agrees to accept 30 state prisoners.

The county wants to enlarge the facility's kitchen, and replace the roof and heating/air conditioning unit.

Hunter urged the county's staff to make sure that this is a 100 percent grant before agreeing to house any more prisoners.

Voted to approve $32,500 to help make the tax commissioner's office Year 2000 compliant. Tax Commissioner Tommy Ferrell explained the agency's current software vendor could not provide the support the county needs for Year 2000.

Ferrell shopped around and discovered Taylor Business Systems, which currently maintains software service for nearly 80 counties in the state.