The Strasburg Board of Education voted Aug. 20 to enter into a contract with Beaver Construction to repair the running track and the high and long jump runways at Franklin Park.
“Beaver revised its figures to an estimated cost of about $200,000, which is drastically lower than anticipated,” Superintendent Vince Lindsey said. “Three different companies deemed the track unsafe for athletes and needing upgrades.”
Lindsey said the track will remain six lanes and the runways will be repaired. Capital improvement funds will cover the project.
“There are no foundation cracks, but the team’s footing cannot grip the track and it is very slippery,” Lindsey said. “We did not want to disband the track program or take the students to another facility for practice and meets. The driving force is to keep the student-athletes safe, and this was the least expensive option.”
Strategic planning presentation
Phil Herman, a partner with the Impact Group of Hudson, presented a strategic planning process for the district. He said the three steps are:
— Strategic planning to empower staff with a roadmap for success.
— Communication to tell the district’s story, build trust, and inspire action.
— Culture development to strengthen organizational growth.
Herman said the process would last four to five months and take three to five years to implement. Phases include leadership, board visioning and analysis, staff and student engagement, community focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Goals include student pathways, communication, safety, and resource growth. A draft plan will be submitted to the superintendent for revisions before a final version is delivered.
Other business
The board also:
— Accepted the resignation of Nicole Lake, middle school English teacher, effective July 8.
— Approved abandoning bus #6 with 203,114 miles.
— Issued a one-year classified contract to Lisa Edie, custodian, effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026.
— Approved Kevin Roberts to provide five hours of bus and van certification at $24 per hour, effective July 21.
— Hired Marissa Kazes as middle school English teacher, effective Aug. 15.
— Approved permanent substitutes Nicole Yant and Boston McKinney at $120 per day for 2025-26.
— Issued one-year coaching contracts to Aubrey Thomas (seventh-grade volleyball), Amber Fox (eighth-grade volleyball), Brian Reinbauch, Craig Morris and Peyton Speicher (assistant football), Tom Spidell (volunteer football assistant), Scott Baughman and Travis Dreher (middle school football), Mike Becker (baseball), Tom Spidell (softball), and Ron Hurst (boys and girls track head coach).
— Granted one-year contracts to Matthew Wald (speech and debate advisor), Jessica Barkley, Cory Nussbaum, and Lyndsay Paisley (mentors), plus seven certified and classified substitutes.
— Approved a contract with East Central Ohio Educational Service Center for six instructional aides.
— Approved the Franklin Park agreement with the village.
— Entered into an agreement with Ohio FFA Camps, Inc. for sixth-grade camp.
The Little Tiger Preschool currently has 20 students enrolled in the morning session and 18 in the afternoon, with additional parents expressing interest.
The next board meeting will be Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at 140 N. Bodmer Ave.
