The Cleveland City School Board voted Thursday evening to hire 38 teachers - including five new ones and 33 replacements for those leaving the system. The district is now serving over 5,000 students, the most in Superintendent Dr. Rick Denning's term, he said. The district is up 141 students from September of 2009, with Stuart Elementary up the highest amount - 58 students as of September 8.
The gym flooring at Mayfield Elementary is in need of a $71,000 repair, which will be paid by cleaning company Service Solutions. Service Solutions has had a stellar record thus far, said Dr. Denning, but they were caught on film throwing water on the wooden gym floor - causing it to bubble up.
Dr. Denning said, "You don't mix water and wood uness you're going to build a boat." Mold was found in the sub flooring as well. The cleaning company will have to go back to the cement pad, replace the plastic barrier and then build the floor. "They are paying for all of it - including Gene Bishop's consulting fee," said Dr. Denning. Mr. Bishop is the construction liason for the city schools.
Board member Steve Morgan asked about the timeframe and was told that students "will be playing basketball on that floor in five weeks."
Because of Dr. Denning's pending retirement at the end of this school year, the board is actively pursuing the recruitment of a new superintendent. The board set a timeline for the interview process, which includes community meetings to be held Oct. 7 at Cleveland Middle School.
Paul Ramsey, Cleveland City Schools energy education specialist, helped the system to receive an energy conservation award. On behalf of Dr. William Spears, Dr. William Adkins presented the award citing savings of $450,359.63 from June 2009 to August 2010.
Dr. Adkins said the amount saved is the equivalent of 446 gas cars off the road or 62,000 pine trees planted.