Salem Community High School Superintendent Brad Detering says everything is still on schedule for more than $10-million in renovation work to be completed before school starts next month.
Detering says 40 classrooms have now been released back to the school for cleaning and preparation of classes and the rest of the classrooms should be turned over by the end of the week.
“We’re still optimistic that the construction schedule is going to stay on schedule and be ready to open school on August 15. Now we will still have some punch list items and touch up things. But by in large the project should be completed, the building clean and ready for the students to come back on August 16.”
New air conditioning and heating systems, windows and lighting are being installed through most of the building. Detering reports there is some concern about the lighting.
“The new windows, and windows all the way to the ceiling, provide for a lot of natural light. But there still is situations in some of the rooms where we are doing some light testing to make sure we have enough and see if we need to go back and add more lights. That’s a walk through we are getting ready to do as the ceiling grids get finished up and lights get installed. We will be able to take a look at it later this week.”
Detering says other work that’s been completed this summer include resurfacing the rear student parking lot and replacement of some of the front landscaping.
The district did have some storm damage during the heavy rains last week with water getting into parts of the third floor due to sealing not being completed around the new heating and air conditioning units on the roof. Detering reports the water was cleaned up with the only lasting damage possibly being to the carpeting in part of the media center.
Both Detering and Principal John Boles commended the work of the custodial staff on getting classrooms cleaned and ready after they are turned back over to the school.
Boles reported online registration is going well with 500 students registered on line so far.
Students and parents have the rest of the week to complete the online registration. The board accepted the resignations of drivers education teacher Andy Farenbacher who has taken a job at Harrisburg High School and Barb Edgeworth as kitchen helper.
The board acted on a number of personnel issues following closed session. Megan Molenhour was hired as physical education/driver education teacher, Stacy Lux as physical education department chair, Steve Baker as boys’ soccer coach pending completion of certification, Brian Camp, Mike Davis and Tyler Vincent as wrestling coaches pending completion of certification and Joe Shober and Kayla Romo as volunteer coaches pending completion of certification.
Pay for substitute teachers was raised to $120 per day.
