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HAMMONDSVILLE - Edison Local school board members reorganized for the year and took action on a land purchase to store vehicles during a session on Jan. 6.
Aaron Richardson, board president, and Ron Smyth, vice president, were returned to their posts with Lisa Bruzzese remaining as treasurer during the organizational session while officials discussed ongoing projects at Edison High School at a subsequent regular meeting. Superintendent Bill Beattie said the district was paying $150,000 for a nearly 3-acre tract a quarter mile from the Richmond campus to accommodate about 20 district buses and vans. He explained that the relocation was necessary in order to use the current bus garage site for the new softball field.
"Based on the projects at the high school, we needed an area to park the buses and vans and had discussions with Bill DeNoon of DeNoon Lumber to purchase 2.725 acres of land up the road by the Bordash Tree Farm. We agreed upon the purchase and sometime this spring the buses will make the transition to the new location," Beattie said.
Smyth was involved in discussions on the deal, and leaders thanked him for his efforts. Meanwhile, Beattie said a traffic study was needed and he was speaking with Ohio Department of Transportation officials to review avenues.
"As of now, based on the clearance and speed limit, we need 365 feet of visual clearance off of (state Route 152) between two buildings and we only have 250," he said. "There are options and we could possibly put in a turn lane, but we'll look at other things."
Board member Josh McConnell asked if the speed limit could be lowered and made into a school zone while Smyth suggested making it 35 miles per hour for 24 hours a day.
The superintendent also addressed ongoing work at EHS, which included pouring footers at the new fieldhouse as well as for the new concession stand, locker room and restrooms. He was also awaiting a state permit for lighting upgrades as well as an electrical plan for the latter facilities.
"Play Surface Solutions is ready to coordinate and bring the press box in and we'll start grading," he added.
"Phase one should be ready in March."
He also provided renderings of the baseball and softball fields and the board approved his recommendation and the board approved a change order for Play Surface Solutions to authorize Phase Two of the plan, which consists of rough grading and installation of stormwater improvements at the baseball and softball fields in preparation for the field turf.
In other matters, the board is looking to extend Family First Coronavirus Relief Act resources for teachers so they can work remotely if they are quarantined or in isolation due to COVID-19. Beattie said the current plan expired Dec. 31, but the district's attorney said Edison can implement an extension that would allow teachers to take 10 days or 80 hours of COVID-19 leave time, after which they can use their paid sick leave time if necessary. Discussion ensued and the board agreed to approve the remote teaching with more action planned on the extension in February.
The board also:
¯ Heard from Assistant Superintendent Julie Kireta, who said officials were planning for next year's title funding and completing a one-year assessment. Smyth commended her for her work when the schools had to go fully remote due to the coronavirus pandemic and Kireta said a lot of work was done to continue the students' education;
¯ Learned Smyth attended the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School board meeting since he will replace longtime representative John Prokopakis. Edison leaders thanked Prokopakis for his work and Smyth said he was getting acclimated to his new role;
¯ Beattie said two new buses were inspected and ready for operation while two new substitute drivers were in training, two more were interested in employment and another was already on the road;
¯ Approved bus driver Frank Martin as a retire/rehire;
¯ Proclaimed January as National School Board Recognition Month and received certificates of appreciation from Beattie;
¯ Approved administrative committees for 2021 with Smyth, Bordash and Beattie on athletics; Scott Lockhart, Richardson and Bruzzese on budget and finance; Smyth, Bordash and Beattie on buildings and grounds; Richardson, Lockhart and Beattie on insurance; Richardson, Lockhart and Beattie on levy/bond issue; Lockhart, Richardson and Beattie on negotiations/ELEA; Richardson, McConnell and Beattie on negotiations/OAPSE; Bordash, Smyth and Beattie on personnel/classified; McConnell, Smyth and Beattie, personnel/certificated; Lockhart, Bordash and Beattie, policy; Richardson, Lockhart and Beattie, public relations; Lockhart, McConnell and Beattie, technology; McConnell, Richardson and Beattie, transportation; Richardson, Lockhart and Beattie, grievance; and Richardson, Lockhart and Beattie, administrator evaluation/contract committee;
¯ Named Lockhart legislative liaison, Smyth as Ohio School Boards Association annual conference delegate and Lockhart as conference alternate attendee;
¯ Transferred $500,000 from the general fund to the construction fund for work at the two elementary schools and EHS concession stand;
¯ Scheduled the next school board meeting for 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at Stanton Elementary School.