District seeks voters' help for new sports complex

The board will also consider a resolution for other improvements in July.
McDONALD -- Schools Superintendent Michael Wasser said he is anticipating a price between $1.75 million to $2.5 million for a proposed sports complex and related facility improvements, and the district will go to voters for the funding.
Wasser said a resolution on the proposed sports complex plans will be presented to the board of education at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. July 26. He said he plans to have resolutions on the agenda for the board pertaining to the complex and other district improvements at board meetings from July through November.
Wasser said he has searched the district's property and other sites in the village and cannot locate any area where an eight-lane, all-weather track can be built. He said a six-lane track is more realistic and is likely to be at the site of the existing track at the stadium on Seventh Street.
That cinder track has not been used since 1999 for a track meet because it is in disrepair, he said.
Wasser added: "We will get the largest track possible, but we won't do this cheaply."
Items being considered
Proposed improvements include replacing the high school football stadium, located behind the high school on Seventh Street, which was built in 1950; and replacing the basketball court bleachers and the six locker rooms at the high school, both of which were installed in 1968.
The locker rooms are on the first floor for physical education classes and on the basement level next to the Blue Devil Room.
Other plans include providing for a new bus garage for the district's school buses. The buses are now being housed free at McDonald Steel, at the end of Ohio Avenue, but have no electricity or heat in the storage structure. The buses had been stored at the old Roosevelt Elementary building, which was razed 1 1/2 years ago after the new building opened.
Treasurer Thomas Radabaugh noted that if the track is built, it will be lighted and will be open "24/7" for use by village residents, providing there are no school track events.
New hire
The board Monday also hired Marilyn Prodnick of Girard as new high school music teacher at a beginning rate of $27,776. She is a graduate of Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music and was one of 29 applicants for the position.
Longtime band director Carl Macali is retiring from the district after 34 years in McDonald. He started teaching music in 1971 and later became band director.
Wasser thanked Macali for his years of service to the district, and board president Lou Ronghi asked that the board send a letter of thanks to Macali for his longevity and for his work to make the band program "outstanding.
Prodnick will also be band director at an additional $4,164 a year and pep band director at an added $833 a year.
In other business, the board:
UHired Gregory Verch as a part-time social studies teacher at the high school at a rate of $13,883 (half the starting teacher rate).
UIncreased the mileage rate for personnel who need to drive as part of their duties from 30 cents a mile to 41 cents a mile, the rate set by the Internal Revenue Service. The rate has not been changed in seven years.
UApproved two fund transfers totaling $9,700, one for $7,700 for the lunchroom budget shortfall for last school year and $2,000 for athletics.
Radabaugh explained that last year's lunchroom deficit was $14,000 and credited Debbie Dombroski, supervisor, for reducing it. The deficit when she took over four years ago was $40,000.
He said the shortfall for athletics was caused by extra football participants and purchase of new basketball uniforms, adding the program will save money in the long run.