Brick work at Northeastern will wait

Masonry at Northeastern Middle/High School will continue leaking and flaking a while longer.

Repair bids came in at almost double the expected cost, so the school board rejected them on March 20.

“The board will gather information on how to re-engineer the project and will consider if it needs to sell a bond to do the work and manage some other pieces within our feasibility study,” according to Dr. Matthew Hicks, superintendent.

The project came about because some of the exterior bricks are flaking, allowing water into the building. In January, the board had hired Luminaut, an architectural firm, for $32,000 to design a solution and oversee a construction project.

Also at the meeting, the board approved hiring Ryan Halloran as the high school athletic director, effective July 1. Currently a NHS science teacher and coach, a separate article about him is in this week’s Western Wayne News. Halloran will replace Gerry Keesling, who is retiring on June 30.

The board also approved hiring Christa Brown as a school resource officer. She will start her law enforcement duties at the schools on July 1. She replaces Ken Powell, who retires June 30.

The board also agreed to spend $476,073.50 to refresh computer gear for students. Northeastern Wayne Schools will buy 1,330 devices: iPads with cases and three-year service warranty. Money comes from pandemic relief funding.

The board also recognized students of the month: Beckett Shaeffer at Northeastern Early Learning Center; Hadley Neagle at Northeastern Elementary; and Delilah Davis at NMS.

The following personnel actions were approved:

• Coach hirings: Drew Fox, NMS boys golf and girls golf; Eric Noland, NHS assistant track.
• Changes: Megan Moreland from NMS PE/health to NHS PE/health; rehired Leann Slike from part time to full time transportation secretary; Ryan Halloran, from NHS science to NHS athletic director; Autumn Kelly, Northeastern Early Learning Center teacher aide changed to teacher, and add position at latchkey.
• Hires: Alissa Corder, part time teacher aide at NELC; Alexis Dean, elementary school part time teacher aide; Christa Brown, SRO.
• Departures: Wes Oler resigned as NMS golf coach; Rhonda Toschlog resigned as food service employee; Beth Conway resigned as NMS teacher aide.

The board’s next regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, in the Northeastern Wayne student services building, 7299 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City. The public may attend.