Central school board members sworn in, shop equipment purchases approved
By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns | Times-Register
Newly elected members of the Central School Board, Jarod Bormann and Abby Heitman, as well as incumbent members Josh Embretson and Jared Funk, were sworn in at the Nov. 17 meeting. Superintendent Micah Gearhart celebrated outgoing members Courtney Scherf, who served four years, and Jered Finley, who served 12 years, with treats.
Embretson was nominated and approved as board president, and Funk as vice president.
Board members were assigned to committee appointments, including negotiations, county conference board, School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC), Central Community Scholarship Foundation, daycare board and facilities committee.
The board approved the district’s vote for the Keystone Area Education Agency Director, District Number 2, for Dale Crozier.
The board discussed their favor for Crozier was based on his experience with smaller schools and focus on long-term financial stability.
Central’s industrial technology teacher, Ryan Bergan, and students Jace Pope and Chris Domka presented recent projects.
Pope and Domka showed examples, presented equipment and shared the process of making soft-plastic jigheads and lead jigs.
Bergan shared, “Nationally, the growth rate is 2.5 percent and locally businesses are sharing there is a need for the skill set.”
Later in the meeting, the board approved the purchase of a jet mill and metal lathe for $34,536.99, using funds from a recently awarded STEM Best Grant, with plans to purchase supporting equipment in the future.
During their presentation, Bergan shared about opportunities the new equipment will provide for future projects and collaboration with other classes.
Gearhart presented proposed goals from a recent SIAC meeting where the group utilized academic data to develop goals for upcoming school years focusing on math and literacy scores.
The improvement plan will include students having one-on-one meetings with teachers during advisory to help develop their action plan for reaching the goals.
The board also reviewed quotes for repair and restoration of the gym floor.
Two options were presented. One focused only on fixing the dead spots and buckling for $8,000. The second, more comprehensive option included repairing the 25 dead spots and buckling, as well as a complete restoration, including sanding, new graphics and a seal coat at a cost of $40,000.
The typical recommendation for regular restoration is every five years.
While the school has maintained a schedule of re-coating the floor each year, a restoration has not been done since 2012.
The time line for the full restoration would be two weeks. The board agreed the best time for such repairs would be during the summer when the gym is not in use.
Gearhart shared that two other companies have provided quotes for repairs in the past, but this company was more favorable because their process was less invasive and more affordable. The board may take action on the project at an upcoming meeting.
