The North Union Board of Education received a proposal from a turf management company to serve as a consultant on the turf field project.
Board member Matthew Hall received the proposal and sent it to CFO/Treasurer Scott Maruniak, who is in contact with the architect of the project, Garmann Miller.
During the board meeting on Monday, Maruniak said the project would be bid out, “but as far as the consulting, they’re under $25,000” so the consulting does not have to be bid out.
The proposal states that the consultant would make a minimum of 18 visits between September 2022 and December 2023, Hall said.
“If they’re doing more of the oversight, that means less visits that our architect has to be there, so therefore we should get a reduced cost from our architect,” Maruniak said.
Hall added that the board should also continue the conversation about the educational purposes of investing in a turf athletic field.
“I was contacted by an individual at Ohio State as well as the Ohio Turf Grass Foundation,” Hall said. “The industry is excited about what we could do and what they could do for us.”
During his district celebrations, Superintendent Richard Baird congratulated North Union’s agronomy team, consisting of Glade Jolliff, Chloe Hall and Cenlee Holloway and Madelyn Taylor, for earning the State FFA Title. Amanda Adams also placed fourth in the state competition in the area of Dairy Foods. In addition, Reporter Amanda Adams, Treasurer Lily Taylor, and Secretary Kaylee Brestle submitted their officer books to the state and all received gold ratings. They will be recognized at this year’s State FFA Convention in May.
Board member Shelly Ehret, who represents North Union at Tri-Rivers Career Center, said competitors from across the U.S. recently participated in the 2022 National Robotics Challenge in Marion. A team, consisting of students from River Valley, Highland and North Union schools, won first place in the “Pick and Place” challenge. A team, consisting of students from Harding, Highland and North Union schools, won first place in the “Additive Manufacturing” challenge.
In other news, the board approved:
-The first reading of additions and revisions to board policies as recommended by the Board Policy Committee.
-Guarantee Trust life Insurance Company as the provider of student accident insurance for the 2022-23 academic year.
-The rejuvenation of low slope roof sections of the North Union Middle School through Garland Company, Inc. in the amount of $123,805. The work is to be performed by Fey Roofing and Sheet Metal this summer.
-A donation of $1,000 from Cheryl Cooley to the Craig Cooley Scholarship Fund and a donation of $1,000 from Dr. Carol and Craig Young to the Young Performing Arts Scholarship Fund.
-To set high school commencement for the Class of 2022 for June 3 at 7 p.m. in the North Union High School.
-A list of volunteers, employees and substitute personnel.
-The resignation and retirement of employees. Baird said retirees will be celebrated at a meeting in May or June.
-The Student-Parent Handbook for the 2022-23 school year.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 16 at the North Union Board of Education Offices, 12920 Route 739, Richwood.