| Calhoun superintendent of schools Jane Lynch told school board members this week that the abatement of asbestos-containing materials from the first floor of Pleasant Hill Elementary was completed on August 22nd.
The current $900,000+ project is a result of deteriorating drain lines under the school's concrete floors.
Lynch said the next phase of construction can now proceed. Temporary drainage lines have been installed so that the restrooms on the second floor of the school can remain operational.
A complex series of air quality tests were conducted by Pinnacle Environmental Consultants, Inc. and all tests came back completely clear of any asbestos particles.
The proposed construction area of the first floor of the school was closed off to students and staff, and classes were moved into available space on the second floor.
Since the kitchen area of the school is part of the construction area, a satellite kitchen was set up at Calhoun County Middle/High School, and meals are being transported to Pleasant Hill and served to students.
"The Central Office is awaiting completion of detailed drawings and required specifications from ZDS Design/Consulting Services, so that all prospective construction companies can bid on the project," Lynch said, indicating the process generally takes about two months to complete.
According to Mr. Zachwieja, Project Engineer, it will likely be sometime in December of 2008 before any further work is done on the next phase of construction.
Work on the first floor will continue throughout the remainder of the 2008/2009 school year, and is expected to be completed prior to the end of the current school year, Lynch reported.
All remaining work on the second floor is expected to be completed prior to the beginning of the 2009/2010 school year.
Time has been further extended for the comment period for a number of policy changes being considered by the board, including Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation; Racial, Sexual, Religious/Ethnic Harassment; Violence and Hazing; Valedictorian/Salutatorian;
Graduation Requirements;
Grading and
Work-Based Learning.
The board will likely adopt the policies at the next meeting. Board member Steve Whited asked that policy changes be highlighted on the Calhoun school web site.
Board president Cynthia Dale addressed issues for consideration by Superintendent Lynch, including obtaining background checks on school volunteers. Lynch said the checks cost $34 for each employee.
Dale requested a Personnel Flow Chart by October 13; Pride Survey information, an EdLine update and the superintendent's itinerary, to which Lynch said it is available on the central office's server.
The board went into an executive session for about 20 minutes.
Other actions approved by the board:
Student Transfer: Parent: Lori Hamric Gibson - Grades 4 and 6 (Calhoun to Roane); Parent: Jessica Tanner - Grade PK (Calhoun to Clay); Parent: Jessica Jarvis - Grade PK (Calhoun to Clay).
Home School Requests: Parent: Kandy Summers - Grades 8 and 9;
Parent: Jeanne Pittman - Grade 7.
Early Graduation: Whitley Church.
Volunteer Agreements:
Shelia Burch;
Emma Richards;
Carolyn Conley;
Maxine Lane;
Danielle Stevens;
Lorie Bailey;
Betty Ellison.
Personnel actions taken:
A number of jobs have been posted, in addition to employment transfers: Gina Cano-Stump - Elementary Teacher - PHE (Effective 9/3/08); Wendy Cottrill - Health Teacher (Half Time) - CMHS (Effective 9/9/08); Zachary Hupp - Assistant Boys Varsity Basketball Coach (FY08-09).
Substitute service personnel for 2008-09:
Donna Schoolcraft (Custodian);
Stephen Sams (Custodian);
Shelia Schoolcraft (Custodian);
Mark Geiger (Custodian);
Larry Radcliff (Custodian);
Lorrie Little (Custodian).
Substitute teacher Kristin Chesser was approved.
Transportation requests approved, and prior service credit of six years was granted Frank Tetrick.
The next board meeting is scheduled for September 15, a work session to start at 5:30 p.m. to establish goals for the superintendent.
A Special Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. to work on board goals framework and adopt polices currently on review.
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