JOHNSTOWN — On Monday, the Johnstown-Monroe Board of Education accepted a $1.1 million pledge from the Chambers Family Foundation to upgrade the high school athletic complex, originally built in 1974. Athletic Booster John Neighbarger of Key Properties will serve as construction manager for the project.
Speaking on behalf of the boosters and the Chambers family, he explained the two proposed phases of the project. This summer, he said, the Phase I plans are to completely redo the lighting system, significantly expand the visitor bleacher section, and apply synthetic turf, including a new drainage system. Phase 2 will include expanding the locker rooms and concession areas.
Other donations accepted by the board include $500 from BP Fabric of America for Johnnie Pride Club school spirit supplies; $166 from Superintendent Damien Bawn for mini diplomas; $1,500 from Thomas Bishop to the Marjorie Bishop Scholarship Fund; and $100 each to the Dave Adams Scholarship Fund from Melvin and Mary Gerabrant, James and Dorothy Hannahs, and Gene Drury.
Bawn reported on the cost comparison of putting a sloped roof on Searfoss Elementary and the high school as opposed to simply replacing the flat roofs. He recommended the board proceed with replacing the Searfoss roof with another flat one.
He said an outside group which looked at the high school roof said the recommended repairs should make it last two, three or four years longer. Bawn said the district will be developing a roof management plan to ensure everything possible is being done to get as much life as possible out of the existing roofs. The board subsequently approved the roof project.
Another capital outlay will probably be steam pipes at Oregon Elementary, which, Bawn said, is “an emerging issue.”
Among the items discussed by the board and Treasurer Tammy Woods was the current draft of the five-year financial forecast.
“The basic bottom line is, we need more funding. What we can cut is not enough to offset expected expenses,” Woods said, after reviewing past and projected revenues and expenditures.
One of the items of concern was the food service budget. Woods projected the board will have to transfer money from the general fund to keep the food service fund solvent. The board plans to further discuss the issue during an upcoming work session.
Related to the revenue stream, Woods was an observer for the recount of the ballots pertaining to the permanent improvement levy. She said the recount confirmed the issue failed by six votes.
The board approved routine fiscal actions as well as a preschool contract with the Licking County Educational Service Center for the 2008-09 school year, and a lawn mowing contract, with Malone’s Lawn Service Inc. for the 2008 season.
Before taking any actions regarding personnel, the board recessed into executive session to discuss personnel and negotiations. Upon return to regular session, the board accepted the retirement requests of middle school guidance counselor Ruth Snider; FCCLA teacher Carol Barb, effective at the end of the current school year; and high school English teacher Ann Shaw, effective June 30. It also accepted the resignation of high school custodian Robert Greene, effective April 9, and approved Duane Pelkey as a home instructor tutor for a medically homebound student. The board confirmed a number of certified contracts for the 2008-09 school year and granted continuing contracts to Shawn Neil, eighth-grade social studies; Debbie Predieri, Searfoss fifth-grade; Christy Rose, middle school intervention specialist; and Julie Smith, Searfoss fourth-grade. It also approved Brian Hoge as volunteer lacrosse coach.
In other action, the board approved two summer field trips for the vocal music program, pending completion of all required paperwork. Students and choir boosters will pay for all expenses associated with each trip.
