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Despite current renovations, Jefferson-Morgan school officials expect no delays in start of school

By Erin Hayes, For The Greene County Messenger 2 min read

JEFFERSON — Jefferson-Morgan School District officials 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, some of which may not be complete until October.

“School will definitely open on time; there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind. I have never missed a school opening in 30 years,” said Denny Russo, the district’s construction project manager, at a board meeting on Monday.

Russo said contractors are on schedule to have classrooms ready for students when they return to school on Aug. 27.

Priority roof repairs and upgrades to the electrical and plumbing should be complete by the time students return, but the school’s heating and air conditioning systems in the classrooms might not be functional until October, said board President Lisa Mattish.

Also at the meeting, directors agreed to enter into a five-year contract with Edlio, School and District Websites, for CMS website services at an annual cost of $3,570, pending review and approval by the district solicitor.

The redesign will make the district website mobile friendly and easier to navigate when completed in a few months, said Jacob Shingle, technology head.

Principal Joseph Orr said the district will continue to participate in the Challenge Program, which offers cash incentives to students to improve themselves in the areas of attendance, community service, academic improvement and academic excellence.

Orr said that he and Assistant Principal Brandon Robinson attended about 40 magistrate court hearings over the last several months concerning student attendance issues. He said the district maintains a good working relationship with the magistrate court and will be working to improve student attendance.

Mattish noted that attendance problems in the district were no worse than anywhere else.

Directors continued the meeting until Aug. 31, when they plan to hire a physical education teacher, according to Mattish.

In other business, directors:

n Approved change orders to electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling contracts pertaining to the $5 million repair and upgrade project to middle/senior high school.

n Approved faculty manuals at the elementary and middle/senior high school levels as proposed and reviewed at the August education committee meeting.

n Announced that a power surge caused the district’s marquee to cease functioning, but that the appropriate steps are being taken to correct the problem.

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