The Salem Grade School Board Thursday night received an update on remaining summer building projects and acted on a number of personnel issues.
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe says the new playground outside Franklin Park Middle School will take shape next week.
“We’re going to take down the existing equipment. We were hoping to be able to donate it, but it’s just not salvageable, it’s not safe, so we will have that taken down,” Foppe said. “They will take the pea gravel that’s over there and they will put it at Hawthorn playground, because it’s needed. Then they’ll start putting up the new equipment, hopefully Thursday or Friday of next week.”
Foppe says mulch will then be placed under the new playground equipment.
She also reported work was nearing completion on the new outdoor classroom doors at Hawthorn School.
“The doors are basically done. There are just a few that need panels, and that need a little more work with some caulking. Other than that, they’re in, and the peepholes are in for safety,” Foppe said. “They’re so nice. You can tell that they’re durable and safe, and we’re excited to have those old doors replaced.”
Foppe says work on the flooring replacement in part of the Franklin Park building was completed before school opened.
Foppe also presented the tentative budget which currently shows an $870,128 deficit. She noted the district will receive $288,000 more in state aid while corporate personal property tax will be down another $423,000. Current unknowns include reimbursement for the lunch program and for transportation. Foppe is hoping to be able to finalize some of the costs before the Monday, September 23rd, board meeting where a hearing will be held on the budget and final approval is expected.
The board approved new five-year contracts with all of its administrators who are not scheduled to retire. They include Hawthorn Principal Marty Adams, Franklin Park Principal Tyler Lux, Franklin Park Assistant Principal Marita Williams, and Special Education Coordinator Jeremy Young.
In personnel action, the board approved the resignations of third grade teacher Haylee Helm, 1st grade teacher Jolissa Lybarger, and paraprofessional Kimber Organ. The board employed 1st grade teacher Olivia Daniels and 3rd grade teacher Elizabeth Williams. The district’s new head track coach is Marita Williams. Jennings Barnfield was approved as a volunteer cross country coach.
