Greene County Community Schools’ photovoltaic (solar) power system in finally underway and on track to be completed in August, a year later than initially planned.
Work crews started at the middle school soon after school dismissed for the summer, first placing panels on the southeast lawn. Superintendent Brett Abbotts told the school board at its June 10 meeting that Story Construction will move to the high school once the middle school work is completed, and then finish at the elementary school.
The long delay was caused by Story Construction working with Modus Engineering on an “assurance and confidence check” to be sure the system would perform as expected. The board sold $5.1 million in bonds for the project in August 2024. The money was invested until needed.
Abbotts also reported he had received quotes for a new restroom facility at Linduska Field. He described them as “not great” and didn’t share them during the meeting.
The board approved the second phase of updating student furniture at the elementary school. Principal Audrey Hinote explained that teachers at each grade level chose the style and configuration of tables that worked best for them. The board approved orders for tables for pre-kindergarten through third grade at a cost of $62,293.61. Tables haven’t been ordered for fourth grade as those teachers had not yet decided what they want
None of the tables have built-in storage spaces. Hinote said she would order chair bags or tabletop organizers from the school’s supply budget.
According to Hinote, some of the tables being replaced date back to the 1992 opening of the school. She said the new tables will likely outlive the current teachers.
Some of the current tables will be taken to the middle school. The remaining tables will be picked up by Midwest Missions and distributed to schools in need in Central America.
The board approved several new policies related to complaints of discrimination, grievance procedures, dealing with complaints of bullying, and discrimination and harassment based on sex. The board approved meeting the regular July meeting from July 8 to July 15 to avoid a conflict with activities at the Greene County Fair. The meeting will begin at 5:15 pm in the district conference room at the middle school, 101 Ram Drive, Jefferson.
