The Greenfield Exempted Village Schools campus will likely be losing several ash trees due to the emerald ash borer that has caused the loss of trees across the state in recent years.
Joe Wills, superintendent, said at Monday’s meeting of the board of education that suggestions have been made by local landscaping contractors to remove every other one of the line of ash trees along Jefferson Street in front of the middle school, and treat the remaining ones. But he added that thinning those trees out and treating them is only buying some time, and is not a permanent solution.
Suggestions for the removal of some trees across the rest of the campus have also been made for the same reasons.
The school is not only considering suggestions on what needs removed, but on what to plant in the place of the removed trees. Additional landscaping is also being considered, which includes shrubbery.
The board will hear about landscaping options at its meeting in September.
In other business, Wills provided information about health fairs sponsored by Highland County Job and Family Services (JFS) and the Highland County Health Department scheduled to take place on Aug. 3 at the Highland County Health Department and on Aug. 10 at the McClain cafeteria. Both health fairs are from 3-6 p.m.
Students ages 3 to 18 and enrolled for the 2017-2018 school year can attend. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and a nutritional screening will be performed free of charge. Immunizations will also be offered.
Families eligible for Ohio’s TANF program can receive a voucher per student for back-to-school supplies and/or clothing for Walmart. Applications are available at JFS, located in the Hi-Tech Center in Hillsboro, and the health department, located in the North High Business Center in Hillsboro. Applications should be turned in at the JFS office by July 31.
On another matter, district treasurer Joe Smith said that the district’s insurance company has requested more information about the bust of Ginevra on display at the school. As such, Sotheby’s is evaluating the piece free of charge.
Wills reported that the Greenfield Rotary Club at its last meeting, which included a recap of the previous week’s Greene Countrie Towne Festival, wondered about having McClain High School open for touring at next year’s festival as there are a lot of people from out of town that come to Greenfield for the annual event. He informed the board that he offered the opening of the school for touring on Sunday of the festival next year.
The superintendent also reported that a septic tank replacement at Rainsboro Elementary is going well. He said it is expected to be operational no later than the first week of September.
Contract extensions for faculty members who work beyond the school year were approved as follows: Emma Stuckey, five days; Amy Cockerill, 20 days; Angela Johnson, 15 days; Melissa Murdock, 20 days; April Putnam, 20 days; Dan Raike, 30 days; Helen Roe, 8 days; Mike Sykes, 50 days; and Chris Fitzpatrick, 50 days. Other employment recommendations approved by the board were: Carol Holt, bus driver; Brittany Hammonds, high school volleyball assistant; and Marcus Coleman, eighth grade football.
The Greenfield Exempted Village School District Board of Education meets again in regular session on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. at the central office boardroom. The public is welcome to attend.
This article was corrected to reflect the proper location where applications for back-to-school supplies can be dropped off.
