Southern’s sports facilities slated for renovation

July 21--RACINE -- Arrangements for funding upgrades to the athletic facilities at Southern High School have been completed and approval given by the Southern Local Board of Education for the project to move forward in the next few weeks.

Roy Johnson, treasurer, said the plans call for construction of a new press box and bleachers on the opposite side of the field from where they are now located. It also provides for renovating the vocational agriculture shop space in a section of the old high school into athletic facilities and a fitness center.

He noted that the late Bob Wingett had donated money toward the cost of the press box.

At the recent board meeting, financing for the project was completed, and on Friday, Johnson said that bids are being accepted for the work. As for completion, he said the work is not expected to be finished before football season starts, but completion should come either the third or fourth week of the games.

The resolution passed by the Board of Education approved lease-purchase financing which Johnson said means the district can move on the project without having to go back to the public for another levy. Financing is being handled through Home National Bank.

In other business, the board approved an increase in the high school lunch prices by 5 cents, a move required to be in compliance with Senate Bill 2180, which mandates that lunch prices must be equal to the average reimbursement rate of $2.46 for the coming school year. Lunch prices for elementary students will be also be increased by 5 cents to $2.2o and adult lunch prices will be $3.25. As for cafeteria personnel, the board approved restructuring the position of cafeteria supervisor and moving it into an exempt salary position.

Acknowledged at the meeting was a $6,000 donation from the Eagles Club.

Other changes made included setting the teacher sub rate of pay at $80 to keep consistency among the county schools.

An agreement was made with Valuation Engineers to conduct inventory and fixed asset appraisals for the new high school addition, the I-8 building, the bus garage and the athletic field house. In other business, Liberty Mutual Insurance was approved for property, liability and fleet insurance for the school year. Local agent is Red and Bauer and the premium is $31,947. A telephone system maintenance agreement at a cost of $2,000 was approved, as was an agreement with Casto Technical Services for maintenance and service on the HVAC for the new high school in the amount of $16,850.

Approval was given for payment of $350 to the Kyger Creek Science Award winner Darien Diddle, who scored the highest on the science portion of the ACT test.

Membership was retained in the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools -- at a cost of $325 -- and the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

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