SCHOOLS Girard board appoints new superintendent

Board members said a new facility is needed.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
GIRARD -- Joseph Jeswald has been officially selected as the superintendent of Girard schools.
School board members voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint the former assistant to the superintendent as superintendent.
Jeswald will serve as superintendent designee through July. His four-year term as superintendent will begin Aug. 1 and end July 31, 2008. His salary for the 2004-05 school year will be $76,735.
Outgoing Superintendent Marty Santillo, who has accepted a superintendent's position with Bristol schools, said he is happy with the selection of Jeswald as his successor. He said Jeswald will likely do as well or better than himself in the job.
Board members each offered words of admiration for Jeswald and anticipation for the upcoming school year. They said he was selected because of his experience in the Girard schools.
"I have no doubt he will do a great job for the district. I have a great admiration for the man," said board member Jamie DeVore.
Jeswald, who has 28 years with the school district, thanked the board members and his family and said he looks forward to the next few years as superintendent.
"It has been a really great 28 years. There are a lot of exciting things happening here," he said. "I can guarantee I will do my best and work as hard as I ever have and even a little harder."
Building assistance program
The board also unanimously approved a resolution to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. By participating in the program, the district would build a new junior/senior high school and demolish the current facility.
Thomas Grumley, board president, said the commission assessed the building and determined it would be more feasible to build a new structure than repair the current one.
"This is a great opportunity for our district," he said. "It is rewarding to us that the state feels confident enough in this board and district to make this commitment."
Board members said the current building is more than 80 years old.
The total project will cost $22,671,973. The state will contribute $17,230,973 with the school district being responsible for the remaining $5,441,000.
Santillo said a great deal of public input will be heard before any decisions are made about the new facility.
Girard resident Jane Harris voiced concerns over the potential demolition of the current facility. She said the district needs the auditorium located in the building and asked the board to be cautious in decisions concerning a new building and any demolition.
In early stages
Grumley said plans are in the very early stages with the acceptance of the state's findings. He said that it is too early to talk specifics and that possibly taxpayers or a donor would pay for a new auditorium.
Grumley said it is also too early to say how the district will come up with its more than $5 million share of the building costs. He said the board could possibly have to go before taxpayers with a bond levy for the building costs.
"There are still a lot of hoops to jump through and hurdles to jump over before we reach that point," he said.
Voters will be asked during a special election Aug. 3 to approve a 6.5-mill operating levy. Voters have twice rejected that issue.
jgoodwin@vindy.com