by Kate Evans
The Morgan County School Board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Morgan County Tennis Association to help pay for architectural services for proposed tennis courts at Warm Springs Middle School. They took the vote at the December 18 board meeting.
The total cost of the architectural services with Williamson Shriver Architects is $21,920. The school board will provide $10,000 from its general fund. The balance of $11,920 to be provided by the Morgan County Tennis Association. The conceptual phase planning will cost $3,500, the design and topographical survey $8,340 and the design documents for bidding $10,080.
School Treasurer Ann Bell said the tennis association will pay the school board their share of the architectural costs beforehand.
The school board has already designated land for the courts on the hillside north of the soccer field at Warm Springs Middle School.
School board member Eric Lyda again acknowledged being a Morgan County Tennis Association volunteer board member before the discussion and vote. He said previously that he didn’t have to recuse himself from the vote.
Gym pay applications
The school board approved pay application #7 in the amount of $731,025 for the School Building Authority Berkeley Springs High School gym renovation project as approved by W. Harley Miller Contractors at their December 4 meeting.
The board also okayed pay application #8 for a total of $587,612 for the Berkeley Springs High School gym renovation project as approved by W. Harley Miller Contractors.
Other
The school board approved continuing their corporate purchasing card program with United Bank at their December 18 meeting.
The board also okayed a contract for behavioral support services between Brandi Warren, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Morgan County Schools beginning December 18 through the rest of the 2018-2019 school year to provide teacher training and support for struggling students.
The deed for the Alex Rickli Memorial Soccer Complex was formally signed over to Morgan County Commission President Joel Tuttle, who is now Morgan County Parks and Recreation president.
Board comments
School board vice-president Pete Gordon commended Berkeley Springs High School custodian Eugene Weaver for always going above and beyond in his service to Morgan County Schools. Weaver recently resigned his position but will continue as a substitute custodian.
Gordon said he attended the Daughters of American Revolution Christmas dinner where Berkeley Springs High School student Cameron Lynch was recognized with the Good Citizenship award.
School board member Eric Lyda noted that Berkeley Springs High School student Matthew Rubeck achieved his Eagle Scout award. Lyda also said that the middle school robotics team had won the Chairman’s award at a recent robotics competition.
School board member John Rowland said that Berkeley Springs had the best Christmas decorations and Christmas display of any town he’d seen and felt that the town and business owners should be very proud of their efforts.
