Possible upgrades coming to sports facilities
Kinsey Benline, left, and Josie Gartrell, October Student of the Month recipients, and Gavin Weaver, September High School Student of the Month.
At the Oct. 16 Strasburg Board of Education meeting, John Picard of John Picard Architects Inc. of Massillon and Hunter Edminston gave a presentation on possible upgrades to improve sports facilities at the school and the football field.
Plans call for extending the track at the field to eight lanes, improvements to the football field by adding artificial turf and refiguring the football field. Plans include construction of baseball and softball fields at the north side of the school. In the schematic design site, the detention pond located on Tiger Drive would be made smaller by adding top soil. There would be dugouts, locker rooms and a concession stand built together.
“This is just a proposal, and we are meeting with the coaches and community members to make a dream a reality,” Superintendent Vince Lindsey said. “It is an ongoing conversation.”
The board also entered into an agreement with Beaver Contractors Inc. for design and professional services for the athletic facilities improvement project. The board had selected Beaver Construction at a previous meeting as the best value design builder to plan, design, coordinate and manage all phases of the project, not to exceed $200,000.
The board also did the following:
—Learned Matt Carpenter, director of pupil services, visited Starlight School and Workshop, the Rainbow Connection, a sensory room and a lending library. Students with disabilities will visit Pegasus Farm this month.
—Introduced Lindsay Opsitnik, new athletic trainer for all Strasburg sports.
—Approved Shannon Moore, high school/junior high girls basketball volunteer coach.
—Issued one-year supplemental contracts to be paid through Title IV funds to Caroline Gatta and Kylie Martinelli, Girls on the Run; Chad West, Guys with Ties; and Hope Haney, Family Arts Night and Girls with Pearls.
—Approved Al Osler, substitute bus driver for the 2024-25 school year.
—Gave approval to Kinzey Schilling, reserve volleyball coach, effective Sept. 20.
—Accepted the resignation of Dave Jones, teacher, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
—Gave approval to Kim Moneypenny as a part-time tutor not to exceed 29 hours per week. This will be paid through Title II funds at a rate of $24.50 per hour.
—Accepted the resignation of Emily Palmer, director of continuous improvement and gifted education, effective Oct. 14.
—Gave approval to the upgraded agreement with the village and the district regarding maintenance of Franklin Park. The agreement was approved in 2009.
—Amended the current contract with Stark County Educational Service Center for the 2024-25 school year to provide gifted services.
Other information
The board honored Chris Pratt with the Tiger Way Award. Pratt volunteers in the athletic department, announces for several sporting events, serves as president of the Band Boosters and steps in wherever he is needed.
The board recognized October Student of the Month recipients Eileen Zhang, high school; Kinsey Benline, middle school; and Josie Gartrell, elementary, as well as Gavin Weaver, September Student of the Month. Each received a plaque donated by the Lions Club and the district.
A pickleball club has been organized for students, and 136 students participated in the Bike to School project recently held.
The Elementary Fall Fest will be held Nov. 1. Students may dress in Halloween costumes.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at 140 N. Bodmer Ave., Strasburg.