Southern Local officials prepare for new year, fall sports
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SALINEVILLE - Preparations for the new school year and the fall sports season were among matters before the Southern Local Board of Education on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The meeting was held at the Williams Collaborative Center, home to administrators for the school district and the Utica Shale Academy, because the parking lot for the school district's campus on state Route 39 has been closed for paving.
To accommodate athletic practices and other activity there, staff and visitors have been asked to park in the Allison lot west of the elementary school.
Charlie Puckett, the school district's maintenance supervisor, told the board the paving has been delayed by the recent heavy rain but he remains optimistic it will be completed by 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, when the high school's Meet the Team Night will be held at the football field.
In related business, Puckett said two light posts will be added to the Allison lot to supplement lighting provided by two others along the access road to it.
Immediately following the Meet the Team program will be a celebratory bonfire at the Highlandtown Fire Department.
The event will include food, music and games led by Southern Local cheerleaders.
Bob Shansky, the high school's athletic director, said attendance at this year's football games is expected to be very good because the team will face some major rivals at home.
The Indians will play against Toronto at home on Friday, Aug. 21, Shadyside away on Aug. 28, Bridgeport at home on Sept. 4, Wellsville at home on Sept. 11, East Palestine away on Sept. 18, Columbiana at home on Sept. 25, Steubenville Catholic Central away on Oct. 2, Lisbon away on Oct. 9, Valley Christian at home on Oct. 16 and United at home on Oct. 23.
Shansky and board members noted it will be the second year for free admission to be offered to all students.
He said this year students will receive a card that will be stamped at each of the games to encourage them not to lose them.
Board President Scott Hart said of the free admission, "We're very proud to be one of very few school districts to offer this."
Shansky was asked whether the policy has affected the sale of family passes, and he confirmed it has.
Jess Krulik, the school's principal, said some parents of students have asked if they may use a family pass to bring cousins of their children from other school districts and were told they could.
Each family pass includes two adults and two students and is $250, which includes admission to all Southern Local athletic events.
Individuals may obtain a season pass for all sports for $100.
Individual season passes also are available for the following sports only: $32 for football, $70 for volleyball and $80 for basketball.
Shansky said the passes may be purchased during the school district's Back to School Bash, which will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 31.
The event will include the distribution of various school supplies to Southern Local students, food, music from a local disc jockey, bounce houses and information supplied by various organizations.
General admission to the athletic events is $8 for adults and $5 for students at the high school and $5 for adults and students at the junior high school.
Free admission also is offered to senior citizens 65 and older who should bring proof of their age with them.
In other business, the board:
Approved student handbooks for elementary and junior and senior high school students and those at Indian Academy, the school district's virtual learning program. It was noted the handbooks can be found at https://www.southern.k12.oh.us.
Parents of students also were reminded to complete registration forms for their children by using or creating a portal through the same website.
Board member Jean Pastore asked about families without internet access and was told accommodations would be made for them at the school.
For information, call (330) 679-2343 ext. 4200.
Approved the purchase, for about $17,170 of an industrial dishwasher for the nutrition program.
Board treasurer Greg Sabbato noted the dishwasher is able to wash up to 400 food trays within an hour.
Approved the following personnel: Jesse Liggitt, marching band assistant; Kelly Malone, high school yearbook adviser; Gerard Grimm, head girls golf coach; Skyler Lasure, head high school wrestling coach; Logan Krulik, assistant high school wrestling coach; and Branden Severs, girls wrestling coach.
Approved one-year contracts for Kayla Terdine, Elizabeth McKinnon, Skyler Lasure and Logan Krulik to serve as community health workers and for the Utica Shale Academy and a three-year contract for Jocelyn Reed to serve as their supervisor.
Funded fully by the academy, the positions involve providing information to students affected by such issues as homelessness, food insecurity and pregnancy.