Friday, July 09, 1999
Safety, comfort priorities in Ross schools' face lift
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
ROSS TOWNSHIP — Work has begun on more than $110,000 worth of improvements, including some new security measures, to be done this summer in the Ross Local Schools.
That's about $20,000 more than the district typically spends on summer projects that include roof repair and other routine improvements, said Superintendent David McWilliams.
Both the middle school and Elda Elementary will get two-way communication systems that will allow teachers to contact office staff when necessary. Those two are the only buildings still using older public address systems that allow only one-way communication from the office to the classroom.
A window opening into the foyer area of the middle school will also be added to the principal's office. That will allow office staff to observe people entering the school who might otherwise forget to check in.
At Elda Elementary, outdoor lighting fixtures will be added to the back of the building.
"We think it's very important and appropriate to do this to improve security,” Mr. McWilliams said. “We need to know what's going on in our buildings at all times.”
Besides the communication system and window, the media center and some classrooms in the middle school will get new carpeting, Mr. McWilliams said.
Other improvements at the building include the purchase of new classroom furniture in two rooms, roof repairs, a new garage door for custodial workers, and a set of new lockers for one classroom. A total $40,000 will be spent at that building.
Mr. McWilliams said most of the projects could be paid for with money the district sets aside each year.
Other repairs, improvements
Additional improvements at Ross schools:
• Morgan Elementary: Replace carpeting in four classrooms, purchase student chairs and repair a portion of the roof.
• Elda Elementary: Reseal a portion of the parking lot blacktop; purchase chairs and a kiln for the art room; replace chains, seats and hooks on playground equipment; and repair the roof.
• Ross High School: Buy 60 student desks; widen the driveway to more safely allow buses and cars to pass; buy a tuba; seal blacktop on walkways around the track; paint the gymnasium; resurface the gymnasium floor; replace the stage floor in the gymnasium.
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