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SALINEVILLE -- Projects are taking place at the Southern Local campus in an effort to maintain and update the facilities.
Superintendent Tom Cunningham updated school board members on Aug. 8, saying improvements were underway to replace the pitched roof and boiler system at the school building. The projects total more than $1.3 million but will eventually save money down the road.
Burns & Scalo Roofing of Pittsburgh is handling the estimated $799,000 plan to replace the pitched roof which has some leak issues. Officials said repairs had been completed more than five years ago and the new topper should last for the next three decades. The area will receive a shingled roof and should be completed soon.
"The roof replacement started as soon as school was out and it was all a pitched roof. Everything should be completed this week," said Cunningham. "It must get inspected and we have a 25-year guarantee."
Additionally, Prout Boiler Heating and Welding Inc. of Youngstown is overseeing an estimated $525,000 project to upgrade the current unit to a propane-powered system. Work began in June and should wrap up in early fall, and the superintendent noted that the improvement will positively impact both energy and cost efficiency.
"We replaced the old, inefficient boiler system and switched to propane. It will take our efficiency from 60 percent to 95 percent," he added, saying crews must also burrow under the road to run a line.
Officials had noted that propane costs considerably less and the project could possibly be paid in less than five years. Currently, expenses are being defrayed through a mixture of permanent levy and general funds.
Meanwhile, future updates form the basis of the district's planned 0.5-mill, four-year permanent improvement levy that is up for vote during the Nov. 7 general election. Officials previously passed a motion to place it on the ballot to help maintain infrastructure to keep it operational. Leaders said the previous levy focused on updates under the school roof but the new measure could be used for paving the parking lots and continuous improvements of facilities. Officials added that it would not raise taxes and costs would remain the same.
Among other action:
-- Southern Local Elementary Principal Emily Brinker said teachers were returning over the next week for training and they were getting prepared for the start of school on Aug. 23 while kindergarten begins on Aug. 28;
-- Southern Local High School Principal Rich Wright said plans were underway for the annual Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 17 and Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) online students would hold orientation at 4 p.m. with sixth-grade orientation at 4:30 p.m. The bash runs from 5-7 p.m. with vendors, inflatables, giveaways and more, and it will culminate with the Meet the Indians event at 7 p.m. He added that teacher in-services were also set for Aug. 21 and 22;
-- District Treasurer Greg Sabbato reminded everyone, including board members and spouses, to attend an upcoming health screening on Aug. 21 that has not only helped save lives but also kept insurance costs down in the long run;
-- The board approved a series of personnel matters including Jan Palmer as a paraprofessional, Marianna Milajecki as a teacher and Jessica Buzzard as secretary under substitute staff while Ashley Dowling was approved as a school nurse for the 2023-24 school year and Charlie Puckett received a supplemental contract for construction projects. Additionally, Zach Almy and Jackline Donovan were approved to return to regular teaching duties following a reduction in force, officials accepted a resignation from cafeteria worker Julie Armentrout and a summer school agreement was approved with Utica Shale Academy for Fiscal Year 2024;
-- Board members John Sawyer and Linda Norris, respectively, were named Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) delegate and alternate;
-- The next regular meeting was set for Sept. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the SLHS Media Center.