(Posted Nov. 16, 2017)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
The Jefferson Local Schools community recently helped to renovate part of the high school baseball complex at no cost to the school district.
Monetary and material donations, coupled with volunteer labor, resulted in extension of the baseball backstop. The project involved moving the backstop to the limits of a former service road, moving the road to the rear of the stands—which were also relocated—and expanding the fan protection area.
“We didn’t pay a dollar. It was all accomplished through donations,” said Superintendent William Mullett, who estimates the project cost over $20,000.
“Initially, they were concerned the backstop needed to be further back, but behind the backstop was an access road, which made things a little problematic. So, they moved the road and then moved the stands,” Mullett said.
During the Nov. 13 school board meeting, board members approved several donations, including a list connected with the backstop project comprised of a $5,000 anonymous donation, $5,000 from resident Dick Dickerson, and $4,000 from IBEW Union Local 71.
Material donations included a gate and fencing from Buckeye Fence Builders, six structure steel posts from MRC, gravel from Mike’s Trucking, discounted asphalt paving from Purdum Asphalt, and discounted asphalt cutting from Central Ohio Concrete.
Volunteers listed as donating labor included Brian Hunter, Mike Hart, Dennis Gray, Integrity Electric, Phil Haskins, Rich Haskins, Tim Brintlinger, Chad Miller, Dan Howard and J.D. Miller.
The board also accepted donations for the high school’s mock trial program: $180 from Mario and Shelly Brunicardi and $300 from Matt Garman.
John Corriveau donated $478 to the high school’s science principles class for a coding workshop. Marsha Williams donated handmade winter hats to Norwood Elementary students. The board also recognized local business donations of food, gift bags, and gift certificates in support of the elementary school’s recent family health fair.
