By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The good news is the bid for air conditioning three Bowling Green City School buildings came in almost $700,000 lower than estimated $4 million. The bad news is the work won’t be done until the beginning of next school year.
The Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to accept a bid of $3,308,700 from Earl Mechanical Services to install mini-split air conditioning systems in Bowling Green High School, plus Conneaut and Kenwood elementary schools.
A representative of Howey Fanning told the board that no bidders were interested in starting the project earlier than this spring. So the completion date for all three schools is the week of Aug. 12-16 – before the next school year begins.
But the savings of 17% on the overall cost was welcomed by the board.
“We were really, really pleased,” Superintendent Francis Scruci said.
The board also heard a report from board member Ryan Myers that the facilities advisory committee is making progress in studying the building needs of the district. The group has been looking at staff and student needs for the 21st century.
The process is “methodical,” Myers said, adding that the recommendations from the advisory committee will be presented at a community meeting.
The board approved a resolution of intent to participate in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s Expedited Local Partnership Program – so there is an application on file if the district decides to go that route for funding buildings.
In other business Tuesday evening, the school board learned that another job fair is scheduled to help fill substitute positions for teachers, para-professionals, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers.
“We have very many substitute needs,” said Dawn Dazell, the district’s HR director.
As of Tuesday, the district was short three full-time bus drivers and had another three on extended sick leave. The district is also down one lunch cashier and two cafeteria monitors.
A legislative change in Ohio allows people without a bachelor’s degree to be hired for up to one year as a substitute teacher.
The job fair is scheduled for Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3 p.m., in the central administrative office on Clough Street.
Scruci said the district saw an increase in COVID cases among students last week, which coincided with spikes seen elsewhere after holiday gatherings. The Bowling Green ZIP Code area peaked at more than 720 active cases a day.
The Wood County Health Department is expecting to see those numbers start dropping soon, Scruci said.
Also at the meeting, board member Ginny Stewart continued her monthly report on special needs at the school buildings. The principals reported “record breaking” donations in December, but “there are still needs,” Stewart said.
The middle school is in need of packaged breakfast items like granola bars, Pop Tarts, and juice. Also needed are boys and girls tennis shoes of any sizes.
Kenwood Elementary is in need of size 6 and 8 boys and girls pants, and size 6-10 boys shirts, earphones and water bottles.
The high school, middle school and Kenwood all need packaged snacks, Stewart said.
Also at the meeting, as part of board appreciation month, Scruci and other school administrators thanked the board members for the work they do.
“It is not easy being a board member,” especially since COVID, Scruci said. “It can be thankless at times.”
