The North Union Board of Education approved the proposal from LeVan’s Excavating in the amount of $133,644 for early site work for the new football practice field on Monday.
The cost was under the architect’s estimation, said Scott Maruniak, treasurer and CFO of the district.
“We’re excited about having LeVan’s Excavating doing this project. They’ve done numerous projects for us in the past,” Maruniak added.
According to the proposal document request, the new practice field will be near the existing football field at North Union High School.
The district is obtaining dirt from Redwood Apartment Communities in Marysville at no cost to the district. In addition, there is no cost for loading the trucks to transport the dirt. The owner of the dirt has contracted with W.W. Grading to load the trucks.
“This is saving the district a considerable amount of money,” Maruniak said.
The dirt is to be transported to North Union Schools, unloaded at the soccer field and rough graded.
The alternate plan to stockpile dirt for future phases of the overall project in the amount of $17.25 per cubic yard is also accepted.
The proposal has been reviewed and recommended by the district’s engineer and architect, Garmann-Miller.
In other news, the board:
-recognized Zane Copas with the NUPride Award for his efforts to raise funds to build an ADA-compliant ramp at the grandstands at the Richwood Fairgrounds. Those interested in supporting the project can donate to the account at Richwood Bank.
-received a request to allow practices and activities on Sundays at North Union schools. At the time of voting, the motion failed to receive a second.
-announced that district report cards have been released and North Union is the top for Union County.
-appointed Matt Staley as the board representative to the Business Advisory Council, with Davis as the alternate.
-approved the annual permanent appropriations for FY23 as prepared and submitted by Maruniak.
-approved the resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
-agreed to hire a bus driver for the Tri-Rivers route and an educational aide on one-year limited expiring non-certificated contracts. Superintendent Richard Baird said the district is in “good shape” with bus drivers, with three to four substitute drivers who are used almost daily. As for educational aides, the district is looking to fill more positions based on student needs.
-approved a list of volunteers and certified and non-certificated substitute personnel.
-approved supplemental contracts in the amount of $750 for two individuals for mentoring one or more first-year teachers as part of the Ohio 4-Year Resident Educator process; supplemental contracts in the amount of $500 for six individuals for mentoring one or more second-year teachers as part of the Ohio 4-Year Resident Educator process; and supplemental contracts in the amount of $250 for three individuals for mentoring a new teacher not in the Resident Educator process.
-approved Jodi Hoffman for mentoring one or more third and fourth year teachers as part of the Resident Educator process.
-approved the North Union Local School District organizational chart for the 2022-23 academic year.
-accepted the resignation due to the retirement of Pam Ensign, elementary Title I teacher and coordinator, the resignation of Zach Johnson, middle school aide, and the resignation of Christine Zaragoza, bus driver.
-agreed to employ Steve Allen as the high school boys basketball assistant coach this school year on a one-year limited expiring pupil activity contract.
-approved one-year supplemental contracts for the following certificated individuals, effective the 2022-23 school year: Tammy Borders, an elementary school state testing (AIR) building coordinator ($3,000); Amy Cahill, high school 504 writing ($1,500); Tammy Borders, an elementary school Title 1 coordinator ($1,700); Amanda Mariucci, a middle school state testing (AIR) building coordinator ($3,000); and Kaitlyn Lafferty, a high school advanced placement (AP) testing coordinator ($750).
-approved the North Union FFA members overnight stay at the 95th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 26-29, with the agronomy team leaving on Oct. 25.
The policy committee will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at the North Union District Offices, 12920 Route 739, Richwood.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the North Union Elementary School, 420 Grove St., Richwood. Prior to the regular meeting, there will be a policy committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. and a building tour at 6 p.m.