Bids are being taken to create a new bus garage just a stone’s throw from Edison High School and work could get underway by year’s end.
During the regular meeting of the Edison Local Board of Education at John Gregg Elementary School recently, Superintendent Bill Beattie informed officials that bids went out for the project Sept. 13 and a pre-bid session was held a week later. Bids are due Oct. 4 and approval should be given next month.
“Bid approval is set for Oct. 21 and the construction starts Nov. 1,” he added, saying a tentative completion date has been set for early April.
The hope is to construct a 563-square-foot metal building with a metal roof which features a bus driver’s lounge and two restrooms. The district has acquired a nearly 3-acre tract a quarter mile from the high school campus to accommodate about 20 district buses and vans because the current garage site was being used for the new softball field. The board previously approved a contract with Strollo Architects for designing the facility.
Beattie also told leaders that work is starting on outdoor classrooms at the elementary buildings and should be completed within a matter of weeks. Two pavilion-type structures are being erected at Stanton and John Gregg to provide students with an alternative learning space that is both healthy and helpful. The buildings, which cost a total of $100,000, measure 30 feet by 30 feet and include tables for students to work.
“Because of the pandemic, we have an opportunity to provide these. We’ve been trying to get the kids outside as much as possible,” Beattie added. “The teachers can have outdoor classes instead of being in the classroom when weather permits.”
He said construction should be completed by the end of October or early November.
Meanwhile, the board approved one change order with SHP for additional HVAC units and another with Grae-Con Construction for additional labor, material and equipment to increase fencing for the chiller, perform additional work and install return air duct work in the district office and board room at Stanton Elementary School. The cost of both change orders totals more than $174,100.
Personnel matters were also approved including a contract with Fatima Smuck to serve as food service director retroactive to Sept. 1 for 75 days per year. Smuck held that role as well as district administrative assistant and director of early childhood education and special education until her retirement this spring. Officials further agreed to retroactively employ Darlene Mason as a Language Arts teacher and Lori Haught as a guidance aide at Edison High School and hired Barbara McElroy as a substitute bus driver contingent upon passing her test in October. More hirings included Amy Purcell, who received a one-year contract for physical therapy services; certified substitute teachers Mark Kovalcik Jr., Deborah Sciance, Christina Frey, Ryan Morrow, Kyle Solar, Ami Boroski, Tamara McConnell, Rachael Kline and Samantha Catalano; and classified subs Lisa Everly and Morgann Ault. Supplemental contracts were further granted to Chandler Hoppel as junior class advisor, Vince Marcino as volunteer assistant football coach and Dawn Cable as cross-country coach and leaders accepted the resignation of Julie Armentrout as night building cleaner at John Gregg.
In other action, the board:
–Approved a one-year contract with the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center for audiology services retroactive to July 1;
–Approved an agreement with Kendall Behavioral Solutions, LLC for professional services related to special education needs in the district;
–Accepted grants from Expanding Opportunities for Each Child for $17,342; ARP IDEA Early Education for $5,495.95; and Agriculture Education Fifth Quarter for $3,045.68 and a $40 donation from Richmond United Methodist Church;
–Set the next regular meeting for Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at Stanton.