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Jefferson-Morgan school officials expect no delays in start of school due to renovation

By Erin Hayes for The 4 min read

Jefferson — Officials of the Jefferson-Morgan School District told school board directors Monday they expect no delays in the opening of the 2015-16 school year, despite ongoing repairs and renovations to the district’s middle/senior high school.

“We are progressing well ahead of schedule. We do not see any issues with school starting on time,” said Craig Baily, acting superintendent. The first day of class in the district is slated for Aug. 27.

He said despite a few setbacks, mostly due to rain, contractors are more than a week ahead of schedule in completing priority roof repairs and upgrades to the electrical, plumbing, and heating and A/C systems at the school.

Also on Monday, directors hired Hazardous Waste Hauler to dispose of chemicals that had been stored at the middle/senior high school chemistry lab at a cost not to exceed $10,725 and to be paid for from the general fund.

Baily said that some of these chemicals had been stored for decades and perhaps even forgotten about, but were discovered during the renovation. Only chemicals to be used for future labs will be stored and everything else will be disposed of.

The school’s principal, Joseph Orr, said that some of the chemicals found were toxic and that the district may be eligible for a discount by paying the bill the same day at the pickup site. Another discount might be afforded by taking advantage of the haulers already being in the area, thus eliminating some of the company’s travel costs, he added.

Also at the meeting, directors agreed to name the girls’ softball field located on the campus of the Jefferson-Morgan School District the Chris Dugan Memorial Field, in memory of the assistant varsity softball coach who died earlier this year following a battle with cancer.

“He was a great man, and through his battle with cancer, he became a symbol of strength that unified our entire community,” board President Lisa Mattish said. “Chris will forever be in our hearts. The naming of our softball field to the Chris Dugan Memorial Field is just one small way we can help preserve his legacy of strength and unity within this district and beyond.”

Following an executive session, directors approved the execution of a memorandum of understanding between the district and the Jefferson-Morgan Education Association(JMEA) union addressing possible increases in the cost of healthcare insurance under the Affordable Healthcare Act that may arise during the term of a new collective bargaining agreement.

“They call it a ‘Cadillac tax’. People don’t really know a lot about it, but we’re dealing with it,” said Baily of an excise tax to be implemented under the act, also known as Obamacare, that may affect the union’s current health care plan. “If they choose to keep that program, it may cost the employee more money — not the district. We’re dealing with the federal government, and this is an understanding that the district and the union are on the page in understanding this.”

The new three-year contract with JMEA, representing the district’s professional staff, expires in 2018.

In other business, directors:

n Authorized VEBH Architects to prepare a charge order to the general construction contract with Arcon Contracting, Inc., in the amount of $315,840 for the replacement of designated windows at the middle/senior high school. The change order will allow contractors to continue without interruptions at the site, and the measure will save the district money in the long run, although other projects, such as the renovation of restrooms, may have to be bumped from a priority list of desired upgrades while working within budget constraints, directors noted.

n Agreed to pay up to $4,000 to Pennsylvania Soil and Rock to conduct a soil evaluation under the roadway in an area where sinkholes and potholes developing have been an ongoing problem. The civil engineering fees will be paid for from the Renovation Fund.

n Approved an increase in the cost of cafeteria lunch prices by 10 cents to meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Paid Lunch Equity program effective next month. Lunch prices will be $2 at the elementary school and $2.10 at the middle/senior high school.

n Approved to post for a personal care aide, followed by advertising, if necessary, to fill a newly created position.

n In a 5-1 vote with one abstention, agreed to pay the cost of a plaque or other recognition approved by the Athletics and Activities Committee for any district athlete who wins a WPIAL or PIAA championship, or for the members, coaches and managers of any district team that wins such a championship, up to $100 per person effective this academic school year.

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