Schuylkill Valley School District plans to renovate its stadium. The School Board awarded a construction contract to A-Turf for synthetic turf, at their school board meeting April 24.
“I’m very confident and comfortable with either of these companies,” said board member G. Dane Miller. “I think we’re going to get an outstanding product for our student athletes.”
The new facility will be a multi-function field for soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and football.
According to Board President Kevin Raudenbush, the new facilities will be handicap accessible and open to the public. The renovations will feature new lighting; a new all-weather track; new fencing; a new ticket booth; newly designed throwing area for javelin, discus and shotput; new jump area for the pole vault and high jump; a new press box, new visitor seating and new scoreboard.
“Our campus setting will be highlighted by this new stadium,” said Raudenbush. “The school and community will benefit greatly by having open access to a beautiful facility.”
The Panther Pride Stadium Committee was formed as a nonprofit organization to raise funds. According to Raudenbush, so far they have raised more than $100,000 and secured advertising finds for the new scoreboard. The cost for the new stadium is approximately $3.2 million.
The project began over three years ago. The district is currently planning a ground breaking ceremony for sometime before graduation. Construction is planned to begin early June and completion by mid to late September 2017.
In other news, under personnel, the board of directors accepted the retirements of three high school faculty: Louis Bachrach, special education teacher; Evelyn Braun, art teacher and Karen Koch, special education teacher; as well as the retirement of Karin Moerder a fifth grade teacher at the middle school.
Also under personnel, the board approved employment for Lisa Strausser as a full-time secretary and Robin Brightbill to the Berks County School District Health Trust Board for a two-year term.
Guidance counselors were approved payment for professional days worked beyond contract: Lauren Matthews and Joanna both of the elementary school each worked an additional six days; Lisa Henry and Mike Robinson of the middle school each worked an additional four days and Rick Heckrote and Sarah Reed of the high school each worked an additional twelve days.
The creation of a new full-time teaching position was approved. The district will now house an Autistic Support Teacher.
Under budget and finance, the board approved a grand total of $1,212,077.37 in bills to be paid.
In other news, the high school will be purchasing a new digital sound system, which includes 24 microphones and a digital soundboard. The total for the purchase will be $49,821.
