Greensburg Salem School Board solicits proposals for facilities study
Sep. 16—Greensburg Salem School Board took a first step this week toward a districtwide building feasibility study, voting 6-3 to seek proposals from prospective consultants.
If one is approved, the consultant also could help manage the district's capital projects over multiple years.
Superintendent Ken Bissell noted it's been at least three decades since any of the district's five school buildings underwent a major renovation.
Some board members pointed out the district in recent years already completed assessments of needed work at the buildings and of potential means for trimming energy costs.
Some energy-related efforts, such as updating heating and ventilation controls, have been accomplished.
"Different items were identified, but we now have to plan how to do that," Bissell said of earlier studies. "I think what we definitely need is project management."
"I feel like we need the expertise," to help determine what projects can be prioritized and which ones can be delayed, he said.
Frank Gazze, Brian Conway and Robin Savage cast votes against proceeding with the request for proposals.
Gazze said he isn't opposed to a new feasibility study but wanted to delay action for a month to get more input from Karl Spudy, the district's coordinator of institutional facilities, maintenance and grounds. Spudy was present at Wednesday's voting meeting but didn't attend the previous week's board discussion session.
President Jeff Metrosky said the board still will be able to seek input from Spudy before making any decisions about building projects.
"All we're doing is seeking requests for proposals, getting the ball rolling," said Metrosky. "We're not committing to anything.
"I'm afraid if we table this, we're going to keep pushing it back and pushing it back."
"A lot of the items we're looking at now are just to get us back to where we were a year ago." Bissell said of facility needs.
The board unanimously agreed to seek bids for replacing failed or failing air conditioning units at the high school and for replacing chillers and making repairs to air conditioning equipment at Nicely and Metzgar elementary schools.
The board also accepted a quote of $21,039 from Hadfield Elevator to repair an elevator at Offutt Field.
Other potential projects the board recently has discussed include an overdue update of the high school locker rooms and expansion of air conditioning at the middle school.
Teachers, basketball coach hired
The board accepted the retirement of Mary Dee Fetter, administrative assistant for student services, effective Dec. 31. She has been employed at the district for 42 years.
Greensburg Salem hired four new teachers: Braden Hoffer, English-language arts, at a step one master's degree salary of $57,621; Lou Downey, business-computer-information technology, Brooke Stanko, special education, and Brooke Armstrong, K-6 elementary, each at a step one bachelor's salary of $54,221.
It also hired two full-time substitute teachers: Madison Kladnik, elementary, at $46,096, 80% of a step one master's salary; and Olivia Long, special education, at $43,376, 80% of a step one bachelor's salary.
The board selected Cameron Auld as the new boys varsity basketball head coach. He'll receive a supplemental salary of $10,616. Auld is a 2016 graduate of Norwin, where he recently served as the freshman boys basketball coach.
Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .
