Jefferson-Morgan to open bids to replace roofs
JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board will open bids next week to replace the roofs over the middle-senior high school auditorium and gymnasium and expects to award contracts at the end of the month.
The board recessed its meeting Monday until 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, at which time it expects to award a contract for the project.
The roofs are in poor condition and need to be replaced immediately, said board member Bob Mitchell, chairman of the building, grounds and safety committee. Leaks in the gym roof forced the district recently to move a volleyball game to the elementary gym because of water falling on the gym floor.
The replacement of the roofs will be part of a larger school renovation project the board will consider once its architect – Valentour, English, Bodnar and Howell – completes a feasibility study on building improvements.
Though the study is not yet finished, the board agreed to move ahead with the roof replacements because of the deteriorated conditions.
The board hopes the roof replacement can be incorporated in the renovation plan and its costs included in a request for state reimbursement, should the state again offer reimbursements for school capital improvement projects, Mitchell said.
The state, in October, will implement a moratorium on reimbursements for school construction projects, which it had been providing through its planning and construction workbook , or PlanCon, process.
The board also discussed installing a large fan on the gym ceiling to provide ventilation and asked administrators to check with the architect to determine whether additional roof supports would be needed to hold the fan.
In other business, the board heard from several students and parents regarding the hiring of a head wrestling coach.
Four out of about dozen people in attendance spoke in favor of hiring Mike Lesko, formerly a head wrestling coach and more recently an assistance wrestling coach, for the position.
“The boys all respect Mr. Lesko and feel he’s the best candidate for the job,” said parent Chad Patterson.
Lesko was one of three candidates interviewed for the position to replace Scott Rhodes, who retired.
Liz Conti, president of the wrestling boosters, called Lesko “absolutely the best candidate for the job.”
Understanding Lesko had asked for more money than the district was offering for the position, the boosters have agreed to supplement his income, she said.
Board President Mark Pochron told the group the board would have to review the legal issues regarding the booster’s contribution to supplement the salary.
The staring salary for the post is $2,400, though the board can make adjustments taking into account past service.
It also was noted that the boosters would have to reorganize to meet the state auditor’s new guidelines on booster organizations.
Conti had said the group currently has no official board of directors.
The board tabled action on hiring a head wrestling coach until the Sept. 30 meeting.
Superintendent Donna Furnier reported the district has joined a community effort to reduce the speed limit on Route 188 in the vicinity of the school.
District officials met with members of a group concerned about speeding and with officials from Jefferson Township and Jefferson Borough.
The township agreed to petition the state Department of Transportation for a reduction in the speed limit near the school, Furnier said.
The speed limit is now 45 miles per hour west of the school and drops to 35 miles per hour east of the school.
When the school zone light is flashing, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour in front of the school property.
The borough and township also were receptive to posting signs to inform motorists who are unfamiliar with the area that a school is ahead of them. Maintenance supervisor Scott Lafferty said he already has begun planning where the signs will be posted. The board thanked the municipalities for their efforts.
Cafeteria supervisor Sherry Kottke reported the district has received a federal grant to add a salad bar to the high school cafeteria.