Arlington school board talks building updates

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Board of Education discussed updates on the new school building project at its regular meeting Wednesday. "Brick is about 65% done. Inside masonry is about 70% done," board President Craig Durliat said. "There are about 4,500 bricks left to lay." He later said framing of the building was approximately 65% complete and the individual rooms of the building are starting to take shape. "They're doing duct work, plumbing work and electrical work all over the place," he said. To keep people safe during the upcoming football season, Durliat said orange construction fencing had been put up around the building and informed the board it was for the safety of the public. "Curiosity is great," he said, but safety has to come first. The board also discussed items that could potentially be upgraded to a better quality and designs for a dedication plaque to be placed near the entrance of the building, but chose to see drafts of designs at a later meeting. In other news District treasurer Roy Swartz said he had recently implemented the positive pay system to better protect against fraud through a series of checks before checks from the district can be cashed at a bank. In speaking about potential instances of fraud, Swartz told the board, "We only have a certain amount of time to discover that before we eat the cost." He also said the implementation of the system took a "day of headaches" to figure out, but he was confident it would protect the school's financial resources in the future. Superintendent Kevin Haught reported a virus had gotten into the school computer system, but had been remedied by the district director of technology, Clint Dillon. "I thought we were going to lose everything," Haught said, later clarifying that was not the case and no privileged information had been taken from the school. High school principal Mark Verroco said he is expecting a lot of new changes this year, but that he was confident it would be a great school year. Elementary Principal Scott Marcum also said he was looking forward to a great school year and a new school counselor had been hired and would be starting her role soon. Also at the meeting the board of education passed the following agenda items: • Approving Gregg Feller, Aaron Neise and Dennis Vonstein as substitute bus and van drivers. • Approving Patty Woodard and Carrie Rausch as substitute cafeteria workers. • Approving Lori Ernst, Jen Griggs and Bernice Welly as substitute secretaries. • Approving Lori Ernst, Kendra Brunswick, Joy Anderson, Melinda Baker, Laurie Butler, Jen Griggs, Dick Leonard, Van Follas, Leigh Flick, Bernice Welly, Carrie Rausch, Kristin Branan as substitute teachers. • Approving Patty Woodard, Joy Anderson, Jen Griggs, Kristin Branan, Kendra Brunswick as substitute aides. • Designate Chad Hazleton, Mark Verroco, Scott Marcum, Katie Cheney, Emily Borkosky, Lou Ann Hartman, Erica Feller, Kevin Haught, Melaine Russell, Danielle Reinhart, Betsey Northrup, Jessica White, Kevin Kleisch to administer prescription medication. • Approving the supplemental contracts of Dick Leonard, Dennis Lee, Kaydence Edgell. • Approving an agreement with the state auditor to perform a GAAP Conversion. • Approving a student wellness and success and disadvantaged pupil impact aid plan. • Approving the ALSD Online Day Plan. • Approving a contract with Alisha Turner as an elementary guidance counselor. • Approving a contract with David Barbee as an enrichment aide. • Approving a contract with Jessica White as an art aide. The next Arlington Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Arlington High School library.