Jul 15, 2013 3 min read

JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board voted Monday to authorize the district’s architect to prepare specifications and solicit bids for replacing the roof over the middle-senior high school auditorium and gymnasium.

The board also added to the motion authorization for the architect to prepare specifications and bid for electrical upgrades and air conditioning for the auditorium and gymnasium

The board has been considering renovating the school and in April hired the architectural firm – Valentour, English, Bodnar and Howell – to complete a feasibility study on improvements to the building.

The architect has not yet presented its findings and recommendations, however, the board has made replacement of the roof a priority because of the roof’s poor condition and is moving forward with that part of the project.

The board Thursday had first considered only bidding the replacement of the roof over the gym and auditorium but added the electrical upgrades and air condition, which may be part of the entire school renovation.

Several board members questioned whether adding the electrical upgrades and air conditioning to the bidding might delay the roof project, which is a priority.

It was noted, however, that electrical upgrades would have to be completed in those parts of the building if the entire building is air conditioned.

Bob Mitchell, chairman of the building and grounds committee, also said the motion only called for receiving bids for the electrical work and air conditioning, and the board could later decide not to do the work.

The renovation project is expected to be completed in phases, board president Mark Pochron said.

Mitchell also informed the board his committee will be scheduling a meeting with the architect later this month to discuss the feasibility study.

In other business, the board voted to erect a banner on which the the names of the district’s valedictorians will be posted. The banner will be placed in the gymnasium. The idea of the banner had been discussed by the board for at least a year.

The board voted to create a temporary position for a certified teacher to analyze standardized test results and prepare remediation plans. The position will run from Aug. 21 through Sept. 13.

The board accepted the resignation of assistant football coach Nathan Tedeschi and voted to post the position. It was announced the district’s pre-kindergarten and kindergarten orientation would be held Aug. 14.

The board agreed to accept bids for five properties in Jefferson Township that have been taken to judicial sale but have remained unsold. The bid for each property was $50.