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Condition of concession stand causes concern

NEW CUMBERLAND — The condition of a concession stand at Oak Glen High School, reportedly the result of one organization’s lack of cleanup, has a member of the school’s Boosters Club concerned, enough that he brought the matter before the Hancock County Board of Education.

During delegations/public comment, Pat Gilmore addressed the board Monday and explained the club recently finished covering 45 games throughout the fall season, as they manage two concession stands. He said that two other groups — the middle school and the Junior Bears — also have utilized the stands.

Following an unexpected inspection by the Hancock County Health Department, Gilmore visited a restaurant supply business in Wheeling and learned about hygiene, and then presented signs for groups using the concession area to adhere.

Gilmore said the cleaning and quality of the stands had improved overall, with the exception of one, which he said didn’t like the rules and refused to follow. He did not mention the organization’s name — to do so would have resulted in an executive session being called by the board, per board policy.

“One of the groups that I will not mention does not like to adhere to that,” Gilmore said. “Several letters were sent out by the administration at the high school. With that said, they had basically thumbed their nose and said ‘We’re done.’ The place is still a mess. I cannot have the ladies that had been working and myself doing this over 45 times go back and clean it up one more time.”

Gilmore said he spoke with past booster club presidents, who also provided the same complaint about this particular organization. He said the group’s reported defense was “the season’s over.”

Between gamedays during the season, Gilmore explained boosters would have to clean the stands, but added that with the season now over, “There’s still cheese all over the concession stand. There’s still flies. It’s still a mess.”

Gilmore asked the board to have Oak Glen High School principal Dave Smith or athletic director Frank Crain enforce the cleaning stipulations or he suggested fining the group in question. He included texts and letters of conversations with the group for the board to view.

“If you let that place go any longer, it’s going to be a breeding ground for every animal,” Gilmore said.

Board president Toni Hinerman advised Gilmore to present information to Superintendent Tim Woodward, who then would further investigate the issue.

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