Class to start on time at J-M
Art club students at Jefferson-Morgan High School created this directional sign now in place at the school complex in Jefferson. Superintendent Donna Furnier commented t he project represents what can happen when people work together for a common goal.
A worker removes bricks from a chimney atop the Jefferson-Morgan Middle-Senior High School while the building undergoes renovations earlier this summer.
A worker installs a new ventilation duct inside the Jefferson-Morgan Middle-Senior High School auditorium.
JEFFERSON – The Jefferson-Morgan School District will start the school year on time.
The school board received an update Monday night from its construction manager on the progress of work being completed as part of a $4.6 million renovation of the middle-senior high school.
However, the most important question to board member Bob Mitchell and apparently others on the board was whether construction would delay the start of school.
“The school district will open on time, that’s not a question,” construction manager Denny Russo said.
Teachers will report to school Aug. 24 for in-service days and the first day of classes for students will be Aug. 27. Classes will start even though will not be finished.
“The school will be operational, but there will still be some work that needs to be done,” Superintendent Donna Furnier said following the meeting. “We’ve got a plan in place so the work can still get done and not be disruptive to the students.”
Workers will not be in areas where students will be during the day, she said. In addition, areas where student will attend classes will be cleaned. Contractors were working two shifts to get work done so school can start on time, she said.
The renovation project included the replacement of portions of the roof, upgrading of electrical and plumbing systems and replacement of the heating system with the addition of air conditioning.
The heating system will not be operational at the start of school, but will be ready when colder weather arrives, Furnier said. Air conditioning will not be operational until the spring. The building did not have air conditioning before the renovations.
The board approved preparation of three change orders: one for $3,462 to replace a cast-iron drain pipe from the roof; another for $6,960 for a new exhaust fan, ductwork and roof curb for dishwashing equipment; and the final one for $27,767 for telephone equipment to make the middle-senior high telephone system compatible with the one in the elementary.
Monday’s meeting was the first meeting Furnier has attended since February. She was on medical leave as she receives treatment for cancer.
“I’m happy to be here and happy to be back to the business at hand,” Furnier told the board.
She said Craig Baily, acting superintendent in her absence, and staff were helping her transition back to the job and she appreciated their efforts.
She later also commented on the strong support she received from student, parents, the staff and community during her leave. “It has meant a lot to me,” she said.
In other business, middle-senior high Principal Joseph Orr reported the district has a new sponsor for the challenge program.
The Energy Corp. of America will sponsor the program that provides financial incentives to students in each grade who show the most improvement, have perfect attendance and have the highest grade-point averages.
The board approved a five-year agreement with website designer Edilo for $3,570 a year to prepare the district’s website. The district was preparing its website in house. The new website, which will take a few months to set up, will be easier to access and to navigate, technology coordinator Jacob Shingle said.
The board approved the motion, pending review of the agreement by the district solicitor. Board members said they wanted to make sure features promised by the company representative, including training each year for new teachers, will be covered by the agreement without additional costs.
Assistant middle-senior high Principal Brandon Robinson reported seventh-grade orientation will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the auditorium.
The board recessed the meeting until 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31, at which time it expects to hire a new physical education and health teacher. Other business also might be brought before the board, Furnier said. The board Monday accepted the resignation of David Friend, physical education and health instructor.