Voters to decide on levy renewal

A mid-19th century building on the Harding grounds will be salvaged.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The board of education has approved the second of two resolutions required to place a 4.25-mill, five-year renewal levy on the May 2 primary ballot.
The operating levy, which will generate nearly $1.89 million annually, was first passed in 1986, and voters are being asked to renew it for the fifth time.
Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg told the board Tuesday that Lincoln Elementary School will close at the end of this school year and its pupils will be relocated to the Devon Elementary School building on Central Parkway for next school year.
Frank Caputo, district construction project representative, said vacating Lincoln will expedite construction of the adjacent new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade building scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. Lincoln will be demolished this summer, he said.
The school district is engaged in a $153 million construction project that will replace all 13 school buildings with five new ones by mid-2009.
The school board approved a proposal to remove a mid-19th century stable and Civil War soldier induction barracks from the grounds of Warren G. Harding High School at no cost to the school district between now and March 31.
The proposal came from Gary W. Clower of Vienna, who said he would salvage the building, labeling the timbers so the structure can be reassembled elsewhere. Board member Linda Metzendorf said she didn't know where the structure will be reassembled.
"The important thing for us was to try to save the barn and not let it get bulldozed," she said, noting that its beams are hand-hewn.
The structure, which has recently been used for band equipment storage, must be removed as preparations begin for construction of the new Harding High School starting this spring, Metzendorf said.
Other action
The board also authorized purchase from Brian M. and Suzanne J. Cox of property at 1924 Willard Ave. S.E., for which the board will pay $38,000. The property, on which a house is to be demolished, is part of the site on which a new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade building will be constructed. The former Willard School, also on that site, is now being demolished.
The board also agreed to lease 18,600 square feet of warehouse space at 860 S. Main St. for $2,500 a month for a year beginning March 1, with the board paying for utilities in addition to the rent. The space will be used for temporary storage of school equipment and supplies during schools construction.
The board also adopted a calendar for next school year, with classes beginning Aug. 28 and ending May 30. Winter break will be Dec. 21-Jan. 1, and spring break will be April 6-10.
The board commended Ronald Cvengros and Meghan Jenkins, both teachers; Patricia Marburger, school nurse; and Frank Tempesta, city police officer, for providing lifesaving medical emergency assistance to sophomore Deon Rogers on Dec. 6 at Harding.
Cvengros and Jenkins gave CPR to Rogers after he collapsed, turned blue and experienced shallow breathing due to a seizure.