STRUTHERS SCHOOLS How will tiger's tale end?

Originally, the mascot was a promotional item for an area gas station.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- What's to become of the tiger mascot perched atop the old high school?
Sell it at auction? Raffle it? Put it in the field house or stadium?
There's no place for the fiberglass feline atop the new school, says Dr. Sandra J. DiBacco, superintendent, who broached the topic during a school board meeting Tuesday evening.
A mosaic cat is planned for the floor inside the main entrance of the new high school, she added, so it isn't needed there.
Auctioning the mascot could be problematic if it spurs a controversy, DiBacco said. Because the school board would not be permitted to conduct such an auction, the PTA or some other organization would need to take charge, she added.
A raffle could also cause problems if the much-sought-after-mascot is carried off by someone who doesn't live in Struthers, a board member remarked.
Audience members suggested retaining the big cat and finding it a home somewhere else on school property -- the field house or football stadium.
Tiger's background
No one at the meeting knew exactly when the school system acquired the tiger. DiBacco said it wasn't there when she was a student.
"It was there when I was there, and I graduated in 1976," offered a woman in the audience.
Originally, the big cat was a promotional item for an area gas station who's slogan, "Put a tiger in your tank" prompted the owner to put a tiger at the station.
No decision was made as to what the cat's fate will be.
Other topics of discussion during the meeting were progress of the school construction projects.
The elementary school is nearing completion, DiBacco said. The gym there has been sealed off so that temperature and humidity can be regulated to allow for installation of the hardwood floor. Water sealer is being applied in the kindergarten wing to allow for installation of carpeting, and landscaping work has begun.
Construction also continues on the new high school and asbestos removal has begun in the old building in preparation for its demolition, she said.
Plans for sewer lines
At the middle school, plans to relocate sewer lines have been scrapped in favor of encasing the lines in several feet of gravel and concrete.
Although Mahoning County officials prefer that no building be done over sewer lines, DiBacco explained, they have agreed to the new plan to avoid potential flooding problems in the surrounding neighborhood.
The new plan is also significantly less expensive than relocating lines, she said.
School board members voted unanimously to approve a $9,254 change order to upgrade the acoustical ceiling grid planned for 16 rooms in the new high school. The change is for material only.
Board members also approved an $11,478 change order to install motor starters for the heat recovery wheel motors and provide motor starters for the supply and return fans in the elementary school.
kubik@vindy.com