Frazier school construction ahead of schedule
PERRYOPOLIS — Frazier School Board members heard updates Wednesday from Massaro Corporation project manager Nate Mallory regarding construction of a new $21 million middle/elementary school for the district.
Mallory noted that Massaro started on the project a year ago and informed the board that the project is a month ahead of schedule, with the roof complete. The new middle/elementary school will be built on land adjacent to Perry Elementary School and Frazier Senior High School.
“We’ve gotten a lot done in a year,” he said.
Mallory notified the board of three change orders totaling $34,596. These change orders will cover Massaro removing coal deposits found in front of the retaining wall, adding fencing along the top of the retaining as required by local building inspector K-2 Engineering and replacing coal and unsuitable soil behind the retaining wall with stone.
Preceding Mallory’s construction update, 10th-grade gifted student Daniel Babyak spoke to the board about his experience at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. participating in the National Youth Leadership Forum, which provides leadership training for young adults.
Babyak said he enjoyed seminars and speeches detailing careers in national security, diplomacy, defense and intelligence. He wrote mock budgets for military and defense intelligence groups and listened to a seminar from an ex-CIA agent who said, “You buddy up with the bad guys and make them like you.”
The highlight of the National Youth Leadership Forum for Babyak was an hour-long Humvee simulation through Fallujah, Iraq. Babyak said that his experience gave him an appreciation for how difficult it can be to get a bill passed through Congress.
“It was very interesting to be put into the shoes of the people who help and defend our country every day,” he said. “It would be nice to see more students get this opportunity in the future.”
In other business, the board approved several teaching and coaching personnel changes.
The board accepted a letter of resignation from kindergarten teacher Rebecca Kara effective immediately and resolved to advertise the position in search of a permanent replacement. The board also approved Lisa Lyons to continue as the long-term substitute for Kara at her current salary of $100 per day until a replacement can be found.
In another personnel move, the board accepted a letter of resignation from middle school boys head basketball coach Andrew Johnson and elected Chris Somers as his replacement. The board also elected Dave Fedor as middle school boys basketball volunteer and Greg Boggs as wrestling head coach.