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A host of improvements around the district were announced ahead of the upcoming 2023-2024 school year in the school board's July meeting.
During his report Superintendent Sean Kirkland announced that the entirety of the district's security camera system was being updated and replaced, including not just each of the district's school buildings but the administration building and Sebo Stadium, as well, at a cost of $350,000. Kirkland said that the upgrade was paid for completely with the $500,000 safety grant from the State of Ohio that the district received in May.
"We're really excited about that initiative. Any time we can add to the safety of the environment here, we're going to take advantage of that," said Kirkland
Kirkland said that the upgrades were about 95% complete and were expected to be finalized within two weeks, prior to the beginning of the new school year.
"There's a few dollars left from that grant that we'll be looking to spend on some announcement equipment upgrades soon," joked Kirkland.
Kirkland also announced that all necessary wiring had been completed to ensure every classroom at the high school has air conditioning. Kirkland said that as the high school does not have centralized air conditioning due to its age, this would be accomplished through the installation of window-mounted units. Kirkland said that those classrooms without windows would have alternate cooling units installed as they became available, noting there had been supply issues with the units since the pandemic.
"That makes a huge difference for the morale of our staff and our kids. You know, I've heard many times 'when we were in school, we got through it,.' Yeah, we didn't listen to anyone because we were too hot," joked Kirkland.
Kirkland further explained that that previously the temperatures in upstairs classrooms could become uncomfortable when occupied by a full class.
"I remember when Dr. Shivers was principal here, I took the temperature outside at 9 a.m. in the morning and it was already 76 degrees. Inside on the second floor it was 95 degrees already with 25 bodies in each room; so we're very happy about that initiative," said Kirkland.
Kirkland also announced that Board of Education Member Ted Bricker had been recognized by the Ohio School Board Association as a 10-year-veteran board member.
The board also approved a host of personnel and administrative items as part of a consent agenda.
Administrative items approved included: a contract with Nutrition Group for food services management services for the 2023-2024 school year; a service agreement with Mahoning County High School Governing Board for the 2023-2024 school year; a Student Transportation Agreement made by and between the Education Alternatives and the Salem City School District for the 2023-2024 school year; a Memorandum of Understanding between the Salem City Schools and PsyCare Inc.; in lieu of transportation payments for Natalie Fish and Judah Fish; acceptance of Linda Casadei and Natalia Galiana as foreign exchange students for the 2023-2024 school year; a service agreement between the Columbiana County Educational Service Center Governing Board and the Salem City School District Board of Education for participation in Project Inspire beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024; the addendum for transportation to be added to the High School, Junior High, Southeast Elementary, Reilly Elementary and Buckeye Elementary Handbooks for the 2023-2024 school year; the LLA Therapy Agreement between the Salem City Schools and LLA Therapy LLC; and the reinstatement of the payscale for all Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing instructors for fiscal year 2024 pay rates effective July 1.
Personnel items approved included: Lind Elias-Thomas, Becky Nicholas and Leah Minard as nurses for junior and senior high school physical July 17; the hire of Reilly Elementary Intervention Specialist Lindsay Sheen, Southeast Elementary Title I Teacher Brianne Severn, Junior High School Social Studies Teacher Lily Bogunovich, and Reilly Elementary School 3rd Grade Teacher Jennifer Woods; an Ohio Association of Public School Employees bid for Southeast Elementary Secretary Veronica Shadle; the resignation of Bus Driver Melissa Beck; a leave of absence for Serena Hawkins; the appointment of Alyssa Tohm, Lindsay Gates and Benjamin Shaw as Wilson Reading Program Staff; the hire of junior senior high secretary Elizabeth Cole; an athletic supplemental for 7th and 8th grade Head Co-ed Golf Coach Larry Kibler; and a supplemental contract for Bonnie Newton for up to 64 hours in September at the Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing.
The board of education will meet next at 7 p.m. Aug. 14.
mahart@mojonews.com