By HOLLY GASKILL
Construction crews plan to begin renovating Ossian Elementary School during the school’s upcoming spring break in the last week of March.
During their meeting Tuesday, the board for Norwell Community Schools unanimously approved an agreement with Weigand Construction, the group managing the project, with a guaranteed maximum price of $1,868,301.
Representing Weigand, Dylan Markley told the board that the renovation should be completed by the end of summer break. Superintendent Mike Springer advised that administrators found it preferable to conclude the year with some work in the building rather than begin a new school year with it.
“A little bit of sacrifice right now ensures that we’re hitting the door running in August, and we’re not waiting for this project to be done,” said Springer.
In June 2023, the board approved pursuing this “interior refresh” as it has been called, as well as new facilities for the baseball and football programs, under a $6.105 million bond. The OES project will include reconfiguring classrooms for differentiated instruction, as well as new lockers, classroom cabinetry, student furniture, carpeting, and painting.
However, Springer stated that this will not include work on a set of boys’ and girls’ restrooms.
Springer explained that the bathrooms are not currently compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the renovation design had not originally considered that. Springer said the district is in the design process for the bathrooms and needed more time. He estimated that the bathrooms would be finished in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Norwell Middle School project is making strides toward completion. Markley stated that crews have begun installing flooring and whiteboards and will switch over electricity on Presidents Day.
Work on the football and baseball buildings has also continued well, Markley said.
Board member Chad Kline noted that the school should consider a temporary restroom during the upcoming track season since the new facility will not be yet available. Springer advised that the school was working on a temporary solution.
The board later unanimously approved holding April 8 as an e-learning day in light of the total solar eclipse. The board has previously decided students would remain in school, but 70% of surveyed parents stated they would prefer an e-learning day or early dismissal. Given further discussion of transportation and safety, the board approved the day as asynchronous e-learning, meaning a teacher will not lead instruction via live video.
Bluffton-Harrison schools and Southern Wells will also have e-learning days in light of the solar eclipse.
However, the NWCS board did not decide if the district will proceed with their latchkey programs, Bobcat Care and Bear Care, during the day. Several leaders expressed hesitation in offering the childcare, not knowing how many families would use the service or for how long.
“We’re just not equipped for a 10 to 12-hour daycare program at this point, especially with asynchronous e-learning,” advised Ginger Butcher, principal at Lancaster Elementary School.
Board member Angie Topp suggested the schools survey families about their ability to find childcare and interest in using the latchkey program, as well as possibly entertaining requiring an RSVP or changing service fees. However, OES Principal Theresa Casto said the schools couldn’t consider turning away families who needed childcare on the day of.
Ultimately, the group determined more factfinding was necessary before making a decision. The board agreed to revisit the matter at their next meeting, Feb. 27, at Norwell High School.
Also during the meeting, the board:
• Approved the termination of Demond Kessler, former NMS head track coach and 8th grade boys’ basketball coach.
• Accepted resignations from custodian Matthew Musco, OES special education teaching assistant Kelsey (Nicole) Miller, OES teaching assistant Shanna Snyder, NHS teaching assistant Donna Lepper, NMS tennis coach Andrew Rodgers, NMS assistant golf coach Garrett Bucher, and food service employees Melissa Barns and Lisa Miller. Hannah Bastian, NMS math teacher, also resigned effective at the end of the school year.
• Approved the following employment recommendations: Robert Simons as NHS theater director, Cherie Harris as a short-term elementary teaching assistant, Lillian Lovell for LES latchkey, Barbara Werling and Addison Berich as OES teaching assistants, Sue Elzey as an alternative school instructional assistant, Molly Kurtz as NMS head track coach and Amy Waldman as an assistant coach, Nicholas Ridenour as NMS assistant golf coach, Dennis Fairchild as NMS robotics assistant activity sponsor, and Max Murchland as a bus driver.
• Recognized a $500 donation from Peyton’s Northern Distribution Center in Bluffton to assist students needing lunch money.
• Formally declared a collection of old school instruments as of no value to the district, which was necessary before salvaging the materials.
holly@news-banner.com
