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BLOOMINGDALE -- The Jefferson County Joint Vocational School District is moving ahead with plans to improve the building and organize for the next school year in the wake of the current COVID-19 shutdown.
School board members met on April 21 and approved an emergency operations plan amid the pandemic to keep the school functional. Information was sent to students and also posted on the school website regarding the coronavirus while officials also approved a memorandum of understanding and contingency plan for students meeting minimum hours between the JCJVS Education Association and the district regarding school closure due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The board also focused on the facilities and approved a series of plans to update and maintain the grounds. Superintendent Todd Phillipson listed a number of projects on the frontburner such as paving, while crews have also worked to thoroughly clean the building.
The board contracted with Blackie and Son Excavation and Paving of Hopedale to complete a $46,120 asphalt improvement plan this summer. Phillipson said work could run from June through August and involves blacktopping sections of the grounds in need of some repair. Areas being targeted include the driveway, runway and half-moon extension and even more work could be done next year.
"They are hoping to have it completed by Aug. 1. We do an asphalt project every year in different sections depending on the need," he added. "We may do a major update in the front and back of the building next year if we have the funds."
In addition, officials agreed to complete an $18,154 project to paint the auto service lab and M.L. Pendleton Painting will perform the work during the upcoming months. Phillipson noted that it has been years since the lab was painted. The school is also purchasing more than $1,350 worth of materials from Weirton Lumber for carpentry students to construct a lean-to roof on the exterior garage and storage building. That project could be done once the students return to class in the next academic year.
Technology was another focus as the school acquired more than $2,500 worth of Axis Camera Station software from i2c Technologies of North Canton to enhance the capabilities of current security cameras. JVS Technology Coordinator Ron Peach said the software has already been installed but more will be done once school resumes. He said he liked the program's functionality and added features.
"The Axis Camera Station is software that allows us to access and view our own cameras and videos," Peach said. "We had that ability before, but it was very basic and had limited functionality. I tried Axis Camera Station and was very impressed by the user interface, functionality and quality of the application."
Verizon Jetpacks were purchased to assist students who had issues with Internet access so they could continue their studies online.
"We purchased 25 but gave out 15 of them on March 17 and 18 because of a lack of access in the service area," Phillipson said, and feedback on the move has been positive.
Meanwhile, more than $2,300 in cleaning equipment was purchased and school maintenance workers were using foggers and two electrostatic sprayers to sanitize the facilities.
"(The sprayers are) a different way to treat the viruses," he continued. "We also use foggers in the building and the cans activate and it sends out a mist to sanitize the area."
Further projects include a $4,800 HVAC maintenance project through Cattrell Cos. Inc. to keep two penthouse units functional.
Leaders also extended contracts for licensed staff including Buddy Davis, Fred Jones, Andrew Long and Dylan Stickler, one year; Russell Achhammer, Erin Freed and Emily Moore, two years; and Glenn Zalenski, three years. Classified staff being re-employed include Karen Grimm and Kristina Henning for one year and Jamie Booth, Judy Galbraith, Gary Pepperling, Helen Starcher, Mark Starcher and Rich Wilinski for two years. The board further agreed to post vacancies to be filled for the new school year as well as to authorize sending out reductions in force if necessary. The board also approved the non-renewal for a long-term substitute contract for Barb Nelson and named Jennifer Davis as the school's English, social studies and intervention specialist duties Nelson had performed.
In other matters, the board:
¯ Heard from Phillipson, who recognized faculty and staff for their continuous work to educate students online amid the shutdown.
¯ Learned from Supervisor Dan Hartman that 150 new students enrolled so far for the 2020-21 term, bringing the total to 350, and officials agreed to continue the enrollment program for the upcoming year.
¯ Announced a $500 donation to the school from the daughter of former Superintendent John Oguich, who recently died. The contribution will be used for students but the exact method is still being determined.
¯ Approved the posting of a math intervention specialist for the 2020-21 school year.
¯ Approved payment for January-March 2020 to Jefferson County Community Action Council Inc. for cost sharing of Ohio Means Jobs/One-Stop Resource. They also approved the JVS pursuing a summer employment opportunities agreement with the CAC.
¯ Approved the 2020-21 school calendar.
¯ Approved opting in for waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 coverage and treatment with Medical Mutual.
¯ Scheduled the next board meeting for 6:30 p.m. on May 19.