The Salem Grade School Board Thursday night received an update on summer improvement projects.
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says one of those projects has run into an unexpected problem. The troublesome sewer line at Hawthorn Grade School was found to be totally blocked in an area outside the building near the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms. The problem was found as a Jetter was being used to clear the line ahead of putting in a new lining. That section of line will now be dug up to determine the problem. Foppe fears the line has deteriorated due to its age. The Hawthorn building is now 52 years old. As a result of water being turned off next week for the relining project, Hawthorn Grade School will be closed.
Improvements underway at Franklin Park include new carpeting in the band room and the replacement of carpeting with tile in one of the classrooms. The damaged portion of the roof from a spring storm will soon be underway. After the new section of the roof is in place, the damaged ceiling tile when rain poured into the building will be addressed.
The district has purchased acoustical tile to be installed in the new multi-purpose building at Hawthorn School to deaden the sound.
The board held a public hearing on its e-learning plan, with no one in attendance. The board later approved the plan that allows for up to five days of instruction a year by remote learning, if needed.
The long-time social worker in the district, Jeremy Young, has been promoted to Special Education Coordinator. Foppe feels Young will be an extremely good choice for parents and the school staff.
The board accepted the resignations from 8th-grade math teacher Shelli Hubler and cook Tonya Prosise. Taylor Jeffords and Amanda Biagi were hired as paraprofessionals.
