MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL Board approves elevator to accommodate students

Four special education teachers were hired, bringing their number to 19 in the district.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Students who use wheelchairs will be able to get to the second floor at McKinley High School before the end of the year.
The board of education agreed Thursday to contract with Handle & amp; Son Elevator Lift Co. of Akron to design and build a lift to accommodate two students who will be attending the school during the coming year.
"It's a very effective solution to our problem," said John Davis, board president.
Superintendent Rocco Adduci said the $40,550 project did not require going through the usual bidding process because it is viewed as an emergency.
The lift, which will run adjacent to a stairway, is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Adduci explained that the lift is only a temporary measure because an elevator will be included when an addition is eventually built onto the high school.
An elevator that would have to be installed on the outside of the building would cost about $200,000, the superintendent explained.
The school has had students who use wheelchairs in the past at the school, but they haven't been able to get to the second-floor classrooms.
Instead, Adduci pointed out, all the students in a particular subject would move to a first-floor classroom to accommodate those in chairs.
New hires
In other business at its meeting Thursday, the board hired four special education teachers.
This brings to 19 the number of such teachers in the district. Adduci explained that between 18 percent and 20 percent of the 2,900 pupils in the district qualify as having special needs.
Those hired and the schools in which they will be assigned are: Jennifer J. Bartholomew, Washington Elementary School; Katherine A. Kopper, Bonham and Lincoln elementary schools; Ashlee A. Rappach, Jackson Elementary School; and Mary E. Rowan, Washington.
All will be paid $27,500 annually plus benefits, except for Kopper, who has experience in the Bristol School District and whose salary will be $30,326 a year.
In other hirings, Jerry W. Bruff II will teach high school science and Eric J. Price will be a high school math teacher. Both will be paid $25,700 annually.
yovich@vindy.com