By HOLLY GASKILL
Southern Wells heard a pitch from a contractor specializing in design-build construction at schools.
In a work session following its regular agenda, the board of trustees heard from Nick Allen and Steven Savoie of Performance Services about a potential partnership for an auxiliary gym. The design-build delivery allows the school to streamline much of the construction process through one contract. The process is generally considered to be a more expensive model, but Superintendent Trent Lehman explained that it could prevent ballooning costs and headaches from change orders.
Lehman worked with Performance Services for a renovation during his time as principal at South Adams High School. Going through another project in his previous position as superintendent of Bloomfield schools, Lehman said he was surprised by how much more involved and difficult the project became with change orders. Board member Todd Fiechter said the district had experienced similar issues in previous projects.
Performance Services is currently working with South Adams for an auxiliary gym addition.
Allen added that they would also prioritize local contractors the district wanted to partner with. In April, the board met with representatives from Meyer Building about the project.
Lehman said Performance Services is the only company pursuing the district and asked if the board would like to move forward with some preliminary discussions. However, Fiechter proposed the board should take it under advisement since not all members were present — board members Delora Schneider and Andrew Pursifull were also present; Chad Roush was absent.
Southern Wells has discussed adding a gym with a weight room, wrestling room, and capacity for batting cages and other equipment. On Tuesday, the board also stated they’d like to repair heating and add air conditioning in the Raiderdome, as well as repair the roof above the offices.
During its regular meeting, the board approved the purchase of a bus through debt services. They also heard from School Resource Officer Chad Bradley, who spoke about his role in connecting with students and keeping the school safe. The SRO contract was also renewed.
Additionally, the board celebrated the recent accomplishments of Eva Laurence and Lily Runkel, who earned perfect scores on I-READ.
Also during the meeting, the board:
• Accepted teaching resignations from third grade teacher Betsy Needler, second grade teacher Alexandra Stanley, sixth grade teacher Nathan Busse and English teacher Ashley Wooten.
They approved recommendations to hire Shelley Preston as elementary assistant principal, Ashley Junk as a second grade teacher, Kylee Buckley as special education teacher, Sara Scott as junior/senior high art teacher, Janice McGalliard as a high school special education resource teacher, Laurie Hoffacker as the elementary school counselor, Kimberly Twibell as an intern from Purdue University-Fort Wayne for the guidance department, Jenna Miller as an instructional assistant, Damion Watters as Livestock Coach, Joel Roush and Diane Rockwell for seventh grade Raider Up camp in July and August, and Damion Watters, Kristina Miller, Martha Paxson, Emily Knight, and Annette Loney for junior and senior high school credit recovery.
• Accepted coaching resignations from assistant varsity football and varsity track coach Gary Paxson, junior varsity girls’ basketball coach Jada Johnson, assistant football coach Byron Osborn, assistant cross country coach Taylor Thompson, junior varsity boys’ basketball coach Jordan Szarenski, junior high girls’ basketball coach Shelby Miller and 7th grade girls’ basketball coach Kyle Penrod.
They approved recommendations to hire Penrod as varsity girls’ basketball coach and Doug Smith as varsity boys’ basketball coach.
• Recognized donations for Leas Electric for junior high track, Psi Iota Xi for the art teachers and Poneto Faith Community Church for unpaid lunch accounts.
• Approved the fundraising event of the football youth camp from July 29-Aug. 1.
• Approved field trip requests from the choir to Kings Island on May 11 and the senior trip to Tennessee Aug. 9-11.
• Approved an updated preschool handbook.
• Declared a list of books as surplus.
holly@news-banner.com
