(Posted Oct. 11, 2017)
By Linda Dillman, Staff Writer
An annual review of Jefferson Local Schools facilities indicates that a solution has been found for ongoing roof problems at the elementary school. Additionally, nearly 100 percent of system-wide environmental controls are communicating with each other.
“We got a lot of stuff done, from irrigating the football field to a partial roof replacement at Norwood,” reported Bob Hiss, director of facilities and transportation, at the Oct. 9 school board meeting.
A flashing repair of the parapet wall above the elementary library and cafeteria was the answer to stopping roof leaks. The field irrigation project was conducted with minimal disturbance to the playing surface.
Looking ahead to the next fiscal year, Hiss said one of the biggest endeavors is replacing the high school running track—used by students and the community at large—followed by repair or replacement of the stadium press box.
“The existing track is wearing down and has reached its service life,” said Hiss, whose to-do list also includes more upgrades to the high school and middle school.
Planning two to five years ahead, Hiss wants to upgrade the security camera system and repair the pavement and flooring at Norwood.
The recent purchase of new floor scrubbers, which cut down on the time it takes to cut through multiple layers of wax and dirt, enabled elementary workers to get the facility ready for staff well ahead of time for the current school year.
“We were able to get the Norwood staff into the building sooner than in previous years,” said Hiss.
He added that his department is looking into cost savings associated with performing some preventative maintenance in-house rather than contracting it out.
Board member David Harper suggested Hiss reach out to the community and organizations such as booster clubs to solicit financial or in-kind help with projects such as the press box.
Hiss told Harper he is working with an organization on cost avoidance measures to improve facilities and plans to work on the press box renovation in the spring.
In other action, the board approved $755 in donations, including a $500 Target grant in support of Norwood’s Family Reading Night, miscellaneous art supplies from Phyllis Calomeni, and school supplies from Restoration Hardware to Norwood.
