Thursday, January 24, 2002
SCHOOL BOARDS
GIRARD
UBoard president Jamie DeVore and member Richard Ragozine congratulated students, staff and administration for scoring 24 out of 27 points on the state report card. The score tied Girard for second place among Trumbull County school districts.
UApproved limited contracts for SueEllen Davis, drama adviser, and Mark Bello and Nick Cochran, assistant baseball coaches.
UAccepted Michelle Evans as volunteer assistant girls softball coach, and Jack Groner, Joe Cappuzzello, Jason Johnson and Tom Guerrieri as volunteer assistant baseball coaches.
UHigh school Principal Joseph Jeswald announced the Mahoning River cleanup study kickoff will be 9 a.m. Jan. 31 at the high school. The effort includes Girard, Youngstown, Struthers and Warren schools and Youngstown State University to come up with recommendations on how to clean up the river. Students will use eight disciplines, such as science and math, in making their recommendations.
BROOKFIELD
UHeard that fourth-graders improved in all five subjects and far exceeded state averages on the Fourth-Grade Proficiency Test.
USchool officials gave the board some reasons for the improvement: improved screening, smaller class sizes, and involving pupils in the OhioReads program to improve reading skills in children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Brookfield is in its third year with the program and has about 45 volunteers that read one-on-one with students once a week.
UStaff members also stated that the fruition of "Collaboration Days" has enabled the elementary staff to focus on continuity between teachers of the same grade level and those in between. This time set aside allows everyone to make sure they are all teaching the necessities within the allotted classroom time.
U Heard that the district has spilt first- and third-grade classes into two buildings, which has left the school libraries asking for any organization or group to donate funding for more books.
COUNCILS
WARREN
UAnnounced that the finance committee will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the status and future of the city-owned Avalon South Golf Course.
UHeard thatSusan Hartman, D-7th, has called a ward meeting for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Secrest Elementary School. Police Chief John Mandopoulos will be present.
UHeard Terry Nicopolis, director of the Environmental Services Department, say his department saved $18,132 during this year's leaf collection by cutting back on overtime and disposal costs. He also said the department has collected about 4,000 Christmas trees that will be used as a bulking agent in the city-produced Nature's Blend fertilizer, made from municipal sewer sludge. Any Christmas trees still out there may be taken to Packard Music Hall parking lot.
TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES
SOUTHINGTON
UOpened two bids for a dump truck bed -- $13,275 and $13,460. The contract was awarded to the low bidder, Dexter Co. Cerni Motors was awarded a contract for the truck cab and chassis at $44,154.
UHeard suggestions for rules for use of the gazebo when it's finished in order to protect it from abuse. The rules will be posted.
UAccepted for consideration architectural drawings for a cemetery chapel.