Schools to consider athletic upgrades

Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 16, 2013

EAST SPENCER— The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education will consider improvements to athletic facilities at Salisbury and West Rowan high schools Monday.
The board meets at 110 S. Long St. in East Spencer.
First, it plans to look at a proposal for a “phase two” addition to the gymnasium complex at Salisbury High School.
The plan is to add a larger wrestling practice area, a larger and improved weight lifting area, a new class space and improved storage. Along with a fundraising campaign, Principal Dr. Avis Williams proposes using the matching funds program for the next several years to make this happen.
Then, the school board will consider a bid for a track replacement at West Rowan High School. The old track would be replaced with a new track and a rubber running surface.
The low bid of $304,156 is from Carolina Siteworks of China Grove. Architectural and engineering fees are another $30,015 for a total cost of $334,571.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the Rowan-Salisbury school board plans to:
• Consider a proposal from Williams for converting the school’s Science/Math Academy to a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Academy.
The board also will hear information from Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom regarding new STEM Academies at Knox Middle School and Isenberg and Overton elementary schools.
• Consider recommended school bell time changes made necessary in order to provide the required minimum instructional hours for a 180-day school year. Most elementary schools would have to extend their days by about 15 minutes.
• Consider new CDL Requirements for potential candidates being hired in a dual role as a bus driver and teacher assistant or other position.
The requirements would be more stringent than the current state requirements. Rowan-Salisbury staff would conduct a thorough review of the person’s full driving record and note the length of time since the last conviction, any loss of personal license and the nature of the offense. Records would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Consider AIG Plan revisions for the 2013-14 school year.
• Discuss possible facility expenses to be incurred at the Rowan County Early College.
• Discuss the school system’s insurance coverage and workers compensation insurance for 2013-14. The system’s current carrier has pulled out of North Carolina, making it necessary to search other vendors.
• Hear an update on the 2013-14 budget from Chief Finance Officer Tara Trexler.
• Hear an update from Grissom on the status of additional safety procedures that have been implemented in the school system.