Salem Grade School Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe told the school board Thursday night everything is on track for major projects at Hawthorne and Franklin Park Schools this summer.
Foppe says the goal is still to be finished in time for the new school year.
“For the summer everything is good and on target. We knew what our modular building would look like but we didn’t have the plans from the modular company itself and we do have those. And they were turned into the City and approved so that was a concern but it is good there. There will be no access to Franklin Park starting May 24 as we can open, we will.”
The summer work includes replacement of the two modular classrooms at Hawthorn with four rooms and construction of a new multi-purpose building for physical education and indoor recess during inclement weather. Franklin Park will get a paved parking lot and inside flooring will be replaced. A combination of funding from federal COVID relief funds and a bond issue being paid off through the one-cent sales tax for schools is being used to complete the work.
Foppe reported the tentative budget modifications for the fiscal year ending June 30th show revenues $1.1-million above what was originally budgeted. Some of the biggest jumps in revenue are the corporate property tax replacement tax which is $408,000 above budget, orphanage/homeless funding nearly $114,000 above budget, and the lunch and breakfast program $236,000 over budget. A hearing on the budget changes will be held at the beginning of the June 23rd meeting.
Foppe has had several inquires about the bus transportation contract. Bids for the service will be opened on June 16th. Foppe expects to have a recommendation for the school board at their June meeting.
There have been 18 students in each grade that are being encouraged to take part in a summer enrichment program. The goal is to have enough students take part for a teacher at each grade level.
The board hired Andrew Steininger as its new band teacher. Megan Green will move from 6th grade special education to 4th grade. Levi Quinn was hired as head boys basketball coach. Thomas Goff was hired as assistant boys track coach and Kelly Bandy as assistant girls track coach.
The board accepted the resignations of Thomas Cameron as 4th grade special ed teacher and Kody Hays as night custodian.
