Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the more than $4-million in summer improvement projects underway remain on schedule to be ready for school to open in August.
Foppe says there is considerable work now underway at both Hawthorn and Franklin Park.
“We have our multi-purpose building going up, they are doing all the area for the parking lot at Franklin Park, they have already put in the concrete at the front of Franklin Park that goes up to the vestibule area. They also have all the tiles popped up and getting ready to lay that tile. The kitchen has the epoxy floor already in it. The Franklin Park gym floor is done as far as the wood being replaced so everything is going well. We also have everything cleared out for the modular classroom at Hawthornand that is moving along as well.”
The board approved an upgrade to the roof seam on the multipurpose building at a cost of $58,000 that should be more efficient, have a better look, and require less maintenance.
Foppe reviewed the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30th. She reports it will end $792,305 in the black. Foppe credits more grant dollars, more money from school lunches, and more corporate property taxes.
The board approved a one-year agreement with Leymone Hardcastle and Company to do the district’s annual audit.
The board acted on a number of personnel items. Annie Tucker was hired as the full-time transitional kindergarten teacher pending licensure in Illinois. Rick Huge was employed as a 6th grade Special Education teacher. Mildred Cowger was employed as a 1st-grade special education teacher. Angie Richardson voluntarily transferred to the Title 1 position at Hawthorn School and Joli Lybarger transferred to the 1st-grade teacher.
Erika Owens was hired as cafeteria manager. Susan Jamison was hired as full-time kitchen staff and Sheryll Wolff as part-time staff.
A number of extra-curricular positions were also filled. Rick Huge was named assistant boy’s baseball coach, Dustin Husk as assistant boys basketball, Lindsey Eddy as cheerleading coach along with Elyse Caplinger, Denise McCormack as Assistant Scholarbowl Coach, Haylee Helm as Girls Head Cross Country Coach, and Cory Harris as Girls Assistant Track Coach.
The board also received a letter of resignation from Leslie Smith.
