Kaser: Academics, education trumps athletics

NEW CUMBERLAND -- Education and academics in Hancock County schools will always have top priority over athletics, according to school board President Danny Kaser.

While emphasizing that athletics are an important and key part of what makes education whole, Kaser made his voice heard about priorities during a discussion with Thomas Wippenbeck of McKinley and Associates.

On the radar and being prepared for bidding are classroom additions at Weir Middle School and New Manchester Elementary School and HVAC improvements to various school buildings within the district along with, on a separate track, development of new baseball and softball fields on the campus of Weir High School.

Wippenbeck said with fluctuating market prices and labor shortages in the construction industry, he was concerned about the costs involved.

Along with the new ballfields, Wippenbeck said, "So, we are gearing up to work on the elementary school additions as well, but I think we are going to slow those down a bit right now to see and confirm where the physical education additions and the fields come in with their bids."

He added that, "We're just taking a step back and keeping an eye on the budget and prioritizing the projects that we are working with all until construction."

The idea of looking at the PE additions and ballfields first was a non-starter for Kaser.

"I'm not sure I can accept that," Kaser told Wippenbeck. "Those classrooms -- those HVAC projects -- they are a need. The ballfields are a want."

Kaser noted that he was not speaking for the entire board, but he would not be able to support the notion of accepting bids for the ballfields project and then finding out the classroom additions and HVAC projects would end up being cost-prohibitive.

"I think, as a board, we need to discuss that pretty quick," Kaser said to his board colleagues. "I'm only one vote ... but I will not support awarding any kind of contract until we know what those classrooms are going to cost and what our HVAC is going to cost, because that's our No. 1 priority to me,"

Kaser said while athletics are important, there are ballfields available for Weir High athletes and academics need to come first in the queue.

Participating by remote, board member Toni Hinerman agreed.

"You're absolutely right, Danny. Education first," Hinerman said.

Other board members in attendance agreed that a special board session is needed, and Superintendent Dawn Petrovich said one will be set before Christmas.

Board members Chris Gillette and Larry Shaw asked Wippenbeck if he could provide some numbers showing what the board could face.

Wippenbeck said McKinley and Associates will walk with the board on whatever path chosen and will prioritize projects based on board decisions.

"If you want to have a discussion about that (at a special meeting), we'll certainly come in and be part of that if that's helpful," Wippenbeck said.

The proposed ballfields at Weir High were also a topic of conversation during public participation. Former school board member Tim Reinard said the location of the softball field was a concern.

"When I saw that you're going to put a softball field in the parking lot at Weir High, I started looking around, and I wanted to come to the board and look you in the eye and tell you I think it's a mistake to put it there," Reinard said.

His concerns surrounded the potential results of a core sample, and the results would show that it would be difficult to run utilities to that location. As an alternative, Reinard said the board should look at property west of the football field and fill that portion of property in with dirt from other board-owned property.

Reinard said it could save the board money to pursue other options and to contact a nearby property owner for rights to use that land for cross country.

After the meeting, Kaser said the board has done due diligence and taken core samples.

Reinard also suggested that a recent emergency board meeting "may not have been up to snuff" and cited Ethics Commission guidelines regarding emergency sessions. He suggested that the board attorney might want to look into the issue.

According to Petrovich and Kaser, the board attorney was on the phone during the emergency board session, and they were confident that the session was conducted properly.

The board congratulated and handed out certificates to members of the Oak Glen girls volleyball team for a successful season. The group amassed a 23-9 record, was sectional and regional champs and made it to the final four in the state tournament.

In a separate matter, Gillette said he received a letter asking for information concerning the basketball and wrestling programs in light of the coronavirus concerns. The individual wanted to know if players not on the court or mat should be wearing masks.

Petrovich said she would look into the matter to find out the current guidance.