- Jim Townsend
School Board Updated on Next Phase of Bond Funded Projects
At the January 13th meeting of the Portland Public Schools board of education, board members were given a look at work to be completed during phase two of the district’s bond funded improvement projects.
Dan Tryles, Director of Architecture at Kingscott, delivered the presentation. Kingscott is the Michigan based design and architecture firm handling design work for the district.
While some phase two projects have already begun, the bulk of the work will be done after the current school year ends and before the 2020-2021 school year begins. Phase two work throughout the district includes:
Oakwood Elementary
Construction of four additional classrooms is already underway.
Complete redesign of media center (library) to allow for greater flexibility of use.
All carpet in the building will be replaced.
Westwood Elementary
Complete redesign of media center to allow for greater flexibility of use.
Middle School
Redesign and significant updating to cafeteria area.
Updated and redesign of kitchen prep and serving area, including addition of third serving line, to improve speed of students receiving their meals.
Remodel of locker rooms.
Conversion of old office space to create a new student center offering meeting space and a large conference room.
High School
Complete redesign and expansion of media center to allow greater flexibility and maximizing space for current media needs.
Other business addressed during the meeting included:
Superintendent Will Heath read a statement of thanks to board members in recognition of January being School Board Appreciation month. Board members were also presented certificates.
Building administrators presented Raider PRIDE awards to January honorees.
Linda Hoxie-Green was reelected board President for 2020.
Beth Goodman was reelected as board Vice President for 2020.
Brian Pohl was reelected as board Secretary for 2020.
Patrick Duff was reelected as board Treasurer for 2020.
2020 board committee assignments were confirmed.
The board ratified an independent contract agreement to bring in Britta Spitzley as a Bridges Tier II Implementation specialist focused on mathematics. This contract is grant funded.
The board approved the hiring of Bart Simpson as the Varsity Boys Track Coach. Simpson is also the Boys Cross Country coach.
The board approved the hiring of Aerial Davids as high school English/Year Book teacher. Davids is a GVSU and PHS grad.
The board approved the PHS varsity baseball teams overnight/out of state trip to Alabama. This trip is fully funded by fundraising activities conducted by the team.
The board approved salvage designation of the scoreboard recently taken down in the middle school gymnasium.
The board approved Superintendent Will Heath’s annual review. Heath’s overall rating was “highly effective.”
