By Ammie Ruddle
Reconstructing the new offices for the Pendleton County Board of Education could cost more than $400,000.
During the BOE meeting on Sept. 27, J.P. Mowery, director of finance, announced the cost of construction and upgrades.
The amount is based on a bid from Lantz Construction and includes the roughly $85,000 that has already been spent on construction and upgrades.
The BOE is set to move into offices in the Lovegrove building by the first of the year.
In addition to the construction costs, the board unanimously approved the purchase of two new school buses that will seat 77 passengers. Cost of the school buses is approximately $250,000. Mowery, and Nicole Hevener, associate superintendent of schools/ director of human resources and transportation, presented the information on the cost and the need to purchase the additional buses.
Mowery said, “If we purchase the buses now, it could be a year before we get them.”
Also on the agenda was updated information regarding facilities. Travis Heavner, director of curriculum and facilities, explained to board members that the freezer work at Pendleton County Middle/High School has been completed.
“In addition to the freezer, the parts for the HVAC system at PCMHS have finally been received and the HVAC repairs have been complete.” Heavner added, “The systems all seem to be working.”
Heavner then announced to board members that the painting of the auxiliary gym at PCMHS is on hold until approval can be obtained from the state fire marshal.
Other items on the agenda included approving four new hires: Brooke Dahmer – accounts payable supervisor/child nutrition coordinator at the central office; Hillary Fox – middle school volleyball coach at PCMHS; Evan Kile – assistant football coach (grades 7-12); and Rebecca Miller – middle school cheerleading coach at PCMHS.
There were no resignations or retirements to be announced at the meeting.
There were several volunteers and chaperones to be approved. Brandywine Elementary School had one volunteer and one chaperone, Franklin Elementary School had 14 volunteers and 12 chaperones and PCMHS had nine volunteers and eight chaperones. However, North Fork Elementary School beat out BES, FES and PCMHS with 27 volunteers and 18 chaperones approved to assist with school activities as needed.
Also on the agenda was the recreation youth league. Heavner discussed that work is being done to “move forward” with the youth league this school year.
Rounding out the meeting, Charles Hedrick, superintendent, presented information to board members regarding expanding the school zone at FES to 125 feet. The expansion was unanimously approved.
The next PCBOE meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4 at BES.
