The Salem Community High School Board has approved $497,427 in inside improvements to the school this summer. The action Monday night follows a decision last month to replace the lights at the football field and resurface the track this summer.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering says the work inside will be concentrated in two areas including the band and choir rooms.
“Have to remove the carpet. Some of the carpet has asbestos masking on the back so we will have to have the asbestos abatement for that. So it’s going to be new flooring, carpeting, lighting, paint, and new ceilings.”
The other area of concentration will be the girl’s locker rooms.
“We have to take out some showers. There are showers that really aren’t being used. There’s an asbestos-rolled floor that is going to be a major part to take out. Renovate the locker room, the lockers are in pretty good shape so they are going to be painted and changed out and all new fixtures in the girls’ locker room.”
The school board approved adding the projects to the Ameresco contract. They will now oversee the work. Detering says the work will be paid for largely through the one-cent sales tax for schools.
Detering reports additional money will be available for building improvements through the federal COVID-19 relief. One project being studied for that money is replacing the heating and air conditioning system in the north addition.
The board also approved the purchase of a new small bus.
Following a closed session, the school board hired Ashley Bachman as a math teacher and Katie King as a nurse’s aide for next school year. The board also approved Madison Schaubert as a volunteer softball coach.
