Cleveland’s Board of Education has approved the Upland Design plans to renovate the Betsy Vines Theater at Cleveland High School. The plan includes $268,000 in core improvements and $51,000 in options. According to Upland’s Brian Templeton, the greatest challenges are in making the theater ADA (American Disability Act) accessible. A wheelchair lift to the stage and a level audience wheelchair seating section for five are part of the plan.
The major part of the work will be done during the summer with seats to be installed in September 2012 and will be paid for out of the system’s sales tax dollars.
HVAC units for the East Wing at CHS were also approved at a cost of $165,000. Associated Architectural Services will replace the central station air handling units serving the theater, administration offices and part of the media center plus installing a new 7.5-ton unit for the lobby and office with central station units tied to a 2-pipe water loop and with DX cooling. The cooling coils will be placed on the roof.
New boilers for CHS were approved at a cost of $86,000.
Teachers of the Year for 2011-2012 were recognized as follows:
Cheryl Matthews, Arnold Elementary; Jennifer Nelson, Blythe-Bower Elementary; Rachel Sampson, Mayfield Elementary; Nancy Cooke, Stuart Elementary; Jennifer Barnette, Ross Elementary; Richelle Shelton, Yates Primary; Grace Dyrek, Sheila Jones and James David, Cleveland Middle School; Julie Phillips, Holly Gobble and Delisa Dismukes, Cleveland High School; and Heilene Tubbs, Teen Learning Center. Ms. Nelson, Mr. David and Ms. Dismukes will compete on the state level for Tennessee Teacher of the Year.
Earlier this month the Board approved a $38.9 million budget for 2012-13 with a scheduled three-percent employee raise. This budget must be approved by the Cleveland City Council which meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.