Benjamin Logan Schools Superintendent John Scheu reported at the Monday evening board of education meeting that an upcoming roofing repair project at the elementary school is much needed, as was demonstrated this past weekend during the strong thunderstorms and heavy rains that blew through the area.
Maintenance staff were on site at the school Saturday to clean up roof leaks that occurred after the late Friday night and early Saturday morning storms, Scheu noted.
During Monday’s meeting, the board approved the elementary roof repair project with Garland/DBS in the amount not to exceed $88,964, utilizing the district’s pandemic-related Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds for this initiative.
The roofing project includes repairs to the EFIS and metal roof sections and replacement of the EPDM portion of the breezeway.
Based on urgent need, the board waived the competitive bidding process for the roofing project. Officials noted that the project needs to be completed prior to the 2022-23 school year and stated that bidding the work would delay the project completion, resulting in potential damage due to water infiltration, higher costs and will not guarantee lower bids, especially in light of current labor and supply shortages.
Also during the session, outgoing member Kathy Stierhoff was recognized at her final meeting. She has served the Benjamin Logan board for four years and was thanked by the superintendent and fellow board members for her dedication to the district.
During the superintendent’s report, Scheu also reported on ESSER funding that will be used for a new resource room at the elementary school. Current Title I teacher Aryn Forsythe was approved to serve as the resource room instructor, effective Jan. 3.
“The resource room will help to address learning loss experienced during the pandemic,” the superintendent said. “There is a definite need for students to have this access to extra assistance in reading, language arts and math.”
Similarly, at the middle school, ESSER funding is providing assistance with extra math help through the Math Minds program. The following individuals were approved to serve as Math Minds tutors: Nancy Forsythe, Kara Gillman, Marice Furlong, Lori Weyant and Tabetha Lewis.
In personnel matters, the board approved an addendum to the administrator contract of Sonja Frederick, director of nutrition/human resources, reducing workdays from previously approved 260 days to 209 days, effective Dec. 13.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the retirement resignations of longtime staff members resignations: John Stahl, art teacher, effective July 31, and Larry Joe Giles, custodian, effective May 31;
• accepted the resignation of Gennifer Ball, effective Dec. 8;
• approved the following overnight trips for Benjamin Logan FFA students and advisers: State FFA Convention in Columbus, May 5,6; Ohio FFA Camp, Carrollton, first session June 6-10; Washington Leadership Conference, Washington, D.C., July 2022.
• recognized the following high school seniors of the month from September to December: Averi Lane, Andrew Hughes, Charlotte Graham, Grady Algire, Gretchen Wilber, Austin McGowan, Danielle Widmark and Breshon Jacobs; and
• approved the following transfer and new funds as presented: transfer $310.26 from the Class of 2021 fund to the Class of 2022 fund; new fund in the amount of $5,000 for our Time4You! program from Mary Rutan Foundation; and new fund in the amount of $5,000 from Logan Co-Op for High School Chemistry.
Members meet for their 2022 organizational session at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10. The regular monthly meeting will follow that evening.