Mar 18, 2014 5 min read

JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board hopes soon to have a better idea of what it might want to do in terms of renovating the district’s middle-senior high school.

Bob Mitchell, chairman of the board’s buildings, grounds and safety committee, reported Monday that his committee earlier this month had met with the architect now preparing the feasibility study on improvements to the building.

The architect, Thomas Durkin of Valentour, English, Bodnar and Howell, and the committee reviewed various concepts in developing a renovation plan, Mitchell said.

Nothing was decided in regard to the project, he said. The architect was asked to develop cost estimates for improvements under various scenarios that take into account the building’s needs.

The architect is expected to have further information at the committee’s next meeting, which has not yet been scheduled.

The board hired the architectural firm last April to begin preparing the feasibility study.

Though it has not yet agreed to proceed with a project, the board also has begun taking steps that will be necessary should it later decide to move forward with a plan, including hiring a financial consultant to assist it in investigating ways to finance a project.

The middle-senior high school was constructed in 1955 and was last renovated about 28 years ago.

In other business, the board voted to hire Chris Niemiec as the girls varsity basketball coach for the 2014-15 season, replacing coach Ellen Hildebrand.

The board voted last month to post and advertise the position, not renewing Hildebrand’s contract. At that meeting, 10 people, including four students, had spoken in support of keeping Hildebrand as head coach.

Niemiec had coached the boys varsity basketball team for three years, each year taking the team to the playoffs. He will be paid $2,546.16, an amount taking into consideration his previous three years of coaching with the district.

The hiring had been recommended by the athletic committee and administration, board President Lisa Mattish said. Board member Jon Hildebrand, Ellen Hildebrand’s husband, voted against the motion.

The board also voted to hire Lisa Olsen as girls head volleyball coach; and David Gamble as an assistant football coach.

The board approved the rehiring of boys head basketball coach Dennis Garrett; and assistant basketball coaches, Sean Lohrer, Brandon Robinson and Ryan Jeffries. The board also accepted the resignation of Taylor Ewart as assistant softball coach.

Cafeteria manager Sherry Kottke reported the district has begun a food backpack program. Under the program, students identified as being in need are offered a backpack of food Fridays to help feed them during the weekend.

The first distribution was on March 7 and went off “without a hitch,” Kottke said. Eleven students participated.

The district received a grant from the Greene County Community Foundation that will help fund the program through the end of this school year and into next year, she said.

The names of the students who receive the backpacks remain confidential and the packs are distributed discreetly to avoid the students being identified, Kottke said.

Superintendent Donna Furnier reported part of the proceeds from a fundraising effort by the Waynesburg University’s Bonner Scholars would go toward supporting the backpack program.

The fundraiser, “Empty Bowls Greene County,” will be held from noon to 3 p.m. April 6 at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

For $20, participants will receive a meal and soups prepared by local chefs, including Dan Wagner, a Jefferson-Morgan board member and culinary arts instructor at the Greene County Career and Technology Center.

Participants will also be able to keep the ceramic bowls in which their soup is served. The bowls are being created by Waynesburg University students and the Art Beat.

The board denied a request for a change order on the project to replace the roofs over the auditorium and gymnasium.

The contractor, Angelo and Sons, had used a material not called for in the bid specifications for the project. Though the material was better than that proposed in the specifications, the board was not obligated to pay for anything other than what was required by the specifications, board solicitor Ernie DeHaas said.

Furnier reported graduation will be held June 4, under a revised calendar, provided no more days are missed because of weather.

It was announced that the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests will be held next week. Ron Gallagher, assistant middle-senior high principal, reported incentives, including prizes, will be offered students who are observed employing best test strategies.

Maintenance supervisor Scott Lafferty reported gym floors will be refinished June 23 through June 28 and the gyms will be closed for about 10 days. Other arrangements will be made for those who normally use the facilities during that time.

He also reported staff will set the posts for the new scoreboard at the athletic field this week, weather permitting, and conduit has been installed for the district’s new marquis.

The board approved a resolution nominating Mitchell to a vacancy of the Intermediate Unit 1 board.

The board accepted the resignation of Marlene Rosinsky, a personal care aide, and voted to post and advertise the position.

Board member Mark Pochron announced the band will hold a fundraising spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 11 at the Rices Landing fire hall.