from The Gallipolis Daily Tribune (1-12-2010)
The Gallia County Local School District Board of Education met for its first regular meeting of 2010 on Monday evening.
A motion to begin the bid process for the demolition of the former South Gallia High School complex was tabled after questions were raised regarding the exact ballot language of the school levy that district voters passed in 2005. Board Vice President Scott Williamson suggested the possibility of utilizing the old gym and a garage that housed the vocational-agricultural facility. Board member Melvin Carter then brought up the question of how the ballot language read in regard to demolotion.
It was revealed after the board voted to table the motion that the ballot did indeed include language pertaining to the proposed demolition of the old SGHS.
Board President Terry Halley questioned Evans about a $10,000 donation that American Electric Power made to the district, which was earmarked for the future athletic complex at River Valley High School. Evans explained that all large corporate donations were to be split equally between the RVHS and SGHS athletic facility projects and that she would talk with AEP about the issue. The board voted to accept that donation and the following donations:
• $163.87 from TAG Parent Support Group to the district for the TAG classroom;
• $100 from ElectroCraft to the district for nurses and needy;
• $200 from the Meyers family to SGHS for PRIDE program;
• $400 from South Gallia Boosters to SGHS for PSSF;
• $75 from Jim Duke, Mud Creek Trucking, Inc., and Perry Twp. Trustees to SGHS for athletics;
• $50 from A&L Care and Training to RVHS for boys basketball;
• $25 from Comfort Air Systems, Inc., to RVHS for boys basketball;
• $50 from A1A Home Improvements to RVHS for boys basketball.
Evans told the board of education that district was in the process of obtaining new equipment through a Bureau of Workers Compensation grant that should provide better safety for custodial staff. She said the district has purchased a scissor lift that will allow staff to safely perform maintenance on elevated equipment.
The grant, which, according to Evans, was secured thanks to the efforts of Treasurer Sandra Foster and Director of Support Services Michael Jacobs, will also pay for the purchase of new floor scrubbers for South Gallia and River Valley high schools. Evans said she expects the check for the scrubbers to arrive later this month.
An architectural firm based in Celina, Ohio, has been selected to provide designs for the proposed athletic complexes at River Valley and South Gallia high schools.
The Gallia County Local School District Board of Education chose Fanning Howey, an architecture, engineering and design firm with locations in Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Michigan City, Ind.
According to Superintendent Charla Evans, Fanning Howey was one of four firms the board of education interviewed. Each firm was given a ranking and Fanning Howey earned the top score.
Evans said two other firms were also ranked just in case the board and Fanning Howey are unable to reach an agreement regarding the cost and “required services” for the athletic facilities projects.
In other action taken during Monday’s meeting, the school board voted to table the resignation of South Gallia High School teacher Richard Benjamin.
The board approved employment for the following individuals:
• Ruth Warden — Quiz Bowl advisor at RVHS, half salary.
• Carol Miller — Student Council advisor at SGMS, half salary.
• Lawrence Bess — substitute teacher.
• Ellen Freeman — substitute teacher.
• Crystal Jacks — substitute teacher.
The board also voted to certify David Mershon as a bus driver for the 2009-2010 contractual year.
The school board approved paying the $250 membership fee to participate in the Ohio School Boards Association Legal Assistance Fund for the calendar year 2010.