Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says it is all hands on deck to get the new modular classroom building at Hawthorn Grade School finished and ready for students. She told the board Thursday night after transportation issues prevented the building from being delivered earlier it is all now in place.
“All sections of the building outside are here, they will start putting it all together tomorrow, and then they will start with the electricity, the water, the fire system, everything we need out there will start next week. So I don’t have a finish date, but it is much closer.”
The students are now being housed temporarily in the multipurpose building. That building at the front of Hawthorn School is complete except for the heating and air conditioning system which is being held up by supply chain issues.
Foppe says the district’s transportation is much better with Robinson Transportation which was awarded the contract even though their bid was $194,000 higher than Durham Transportation’s bid.
“First days are always rough, as with anybody, but the busses are beautiful, they are clean and quiet so we are very happy.”
And unlike last year, there were drivers for all of the buses.
With the more expensive transportation contract, Foppe reported the transportation fund would be $118,000 in the red. That’s less than the $194,000 deficit Foppe originally feared. Foppe says the rest of the funds in the tentative budget are all in the black. The budget is now available for review prior to adoption that will be on the September 22nd agenda.
The board acted on a number of personnel issues. The board hired Sherry Hays, Tanya Petrillo, Sheena Rollinson, and Brandi Starnes as paraprofessionals and Josh Towal as custodian. Foppe noted it is the first time in over a year they have a full custodial staff.
The board accepted the resignation of Dawn Snow.
The board went into a closed session to discuss the purchase of property from Joe Hotze which is north of Hawthorn School. The issue will come before the board at a later date for possible approval.
