A bond issue that will pay for masonry repair, upgrades to the heating and ventilation system, and other improvements at the Northeastern Wayne School campus is expected to have little effect on property tax rates. The school board is planning to approve it on May 29.
Some bricks on the Northeastern Middle/High School building are failing and allowing water into the building walls. Bids on a repair project were much higher than anticipated.
The board gave permission to move ahead with the bond process during its April 24 meeting. Consultants are helping the district develop a 15-to-20 year financing plan for about $5.5 million, said Matthew Hicks, superintendent. It would increase the district’s property tax rate by about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, or about one-tenth of 1%. Exact values will be determined when the bond is finalized.
The board scheduled a public hearing on projects for the bond sale at its next regular meeting, rescheduled to May 22, and a second hearing and bonding approval at a May 29 special meeting.
In other business, the board approved an $18,200 contract with Perseponko Painting of Richmond for repainting the Northeastern Middle/High School gym walls. Originally planned in 2023, it had been delayed after members of the public asked the board to wait so a mural of the Northeastern Knight could be repainted rather than painted over. That work was completed in March. Perseponko submitted the lone bid for the work.
The board also approved Scarrette Pyrotechnics’ request to use the school ballfields for a fireworks show on July 13.
It congratulated April Students of the Month: Liam Asher, Northeastern Early Learning Center; Mattea VanHoorebeke, Northeastern Elementary School; and Jackson Crank, Northeastern Middle School.
The board reviewed the following personnel actions.
Changes: LeAnn Slick, additional pay for work from November 2023 to March 2024; Jen O’Brien, additional pay for additional custodial work; Megan Schrier, additional hours as maternity sub; Krista Hendrickson, certified teacher for seventh grade language arts; Samantha Comiso, summer position.
Hires: Emma Robinson, food services; Ken Powell, adjunct faculty.
Departures: Teresa Carson, retirement; Amy Kenworthy, custodian.
The board’s next meetings will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 29, in the Northeastern Wayne student services building, 7299 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City. The public may attend both.
A version of this article appeared in the May 1 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.