Project updates top school board agenda

By Carol McIntire

Editor

Carrollton Schools Superintendent Dave Davis provided an update on a swatting email sent to dozens of schools Dec. 10 during the Dec. 12 school board meeting. 

Davis said the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) and the FBI determined it was not a credible threat. He noted local law enforcement was notified and both buildings, as well as the construction site, were checked prior to students arriving at the school Dec. 11. 

“Rusty Grubbs (head of maintenance) and I walked through all buildings prior to their arrival,” Davis told the board. “While this threat proved to be false, both OSSC and the FBI encourage all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviors, emails, social media posts, etc., to the proper authorities so they can be investigated.”

The phone number to call is 877-723-3764.

Davis also reported on a plan to reduce absenteeism in all buildings. Notifications will be sent to parents in January whose children missed 10 percent of school in the first semester. 

“These kids aren’t in trouble, we just want parents to be aware of the total absences their kids have,” Davis noted adding excused absences also count toward chronic absenteeism and will make it harder for kids to excel in their classes and on state assessments.

Davis and board members all expressed appreciation to Wendy Gotschall, who finished her third four-year term (12 years) and tenure on the board. She opted not to seek re-election in November. 

“She brought great insight to the district from her years at Aultman and the Carroll County Health Department,” Davis said. “We thank you for your willingness to serve and ‘pay forward’ so future generations of Warriors have the opportunities you had as a student here.”

Assistant Superintendent Andy Reeves announced a project to update the stadium (Community Field) that includes field lights, scoreboard and public address (PA) system. He is in the process of obtaining quotes with plans to have the project completed by June 2024. The work will be paid for with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ERSSER) funds, which must be spent by the summer of 2024.

Reeves presented an update on the elementary building construction, noting the work is on schedule. 

“Concrete is finished, top floor beams are being set, block and baring masonry continues and they are framing walls in the administration area on the ground floor,” Reeves said. “Also, all the windows are on site.”

In other matters the board:

-PAID bills totaling $2,800,203.68 and payroll of $1,314,365.41. Treasurer Amy Spears reported an ending balance of all funds as $42,121,272.71.

-APPROVED an amended contract with Carroll County Transit from Nov. 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024 with a decrease in the cost from $3.30 per mile to $2.05 per mile.

-SET the annual budget hearing Jan. 9 at 4:45 p.m. in the CHS extended learning space.

-APPROVED the following Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Amanda Borland (Jan.4-March 28); Ryan Borland (Jan. 2- Feb. 2); and Kelsey Raines (Jan. 27-April 20).

-ACCEPTED the retirement resignation of Bruce Maney, effective Feb. 29.

-APPROVED the following list of substitutes: Enrique Gonzales and Ashely Raper, both classified and certificated; Ryan Kuntz, certificated; and Kelli Pridemore, certificated (Steven Pridemore abstained on vote). 

-HIRED Jannai Shields as freshman basketball coach.

-APPROVED membership in the Ohio School Boards Association at a cost of $7,774 and Ohio School Boards Association Legal Assistance Fund at a cost of $250.

-SCHEDULED the next meeting Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. in the CHS extended learning space.