MANSFIELD — The Mansfield City Schools board of education authorized funding for multiple improvement projects at Arlin Field during its Tuesday night meeting.
The board passed a resolution authorizing financing for improvement and lighting projects at Arlin Field and Mansfield Senior High School. The board approved the two projects, which includes replacing the lighting at both the high school and football field, at its last meeting. The board also approved renovations for the stadium’s concrete infrastructure.
The resolution authorized the district to spend up to $1.7 million on the projects. District Treasurer Tacy Courtright stated said she has also applied for a $215,000 grant that could be used for the projects.
The resolution was one of many items during a lengthy meeting which began with a moment of silence for late Mansfield Senior High School assistant principal Amanda Mahon. Mahon died last month from cancer.
“Amanda was an excellent educator and administrator,” superintendent Stan Jefferson said. “(We are) sending our thoughts and prayers to her family during this most difficult time.”
Jefferson said the board planned to formally honor Mahon at its January meeting.
“We all are keeping Amanda’s family in our thoughts and in our prayers,” board president Renda Cline said. “She was very special to the entire district.”
The board approved a change of status for high school dean of students Kristopher Beasley, who will assume the role of assistant principal. Beasley graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1994 and has worked in the district since 2002.
The board also approved a resolution extending its prior resolution authorizing virtual board meetings. The resolution was passed April 28 and will expire July 1, 2021.
The board is permitted to meet by teleconference, video conference or a similar technology under House Bill 404, which itself extended authorization for public bodies to hold virtual meetings until July 1.
Robert Booth, facilities manager, gave a brief presentation recognizing the district’s maintenance and custodial staff.
“This has been the hardest working group, the best group I’ve worked with in the district,” he said. “They’re just non-stop.”
Cynthia Morgan, the custodian at the Raemelton administrative building, received a 95 percent job rating from a third-party evaluation committee.
“Excellent. Represents a world-class cleaning program that has limited opportunities for improvement,” Booth read from the evaluation.
Morgan thanked Jesus Christ and district administrators and called herself a “proud Tyger.”
Malabar Intermediate and Woodland Elementary also received high scores.
“I cried when I first read them, I was so happy for them,” Booth said.
Director of Technology Fayette Adams reported the district has deployed 3,251 Chromebooks for students and every enrolled student has a Chromebook. The district has also distributed 425 hotspots for families who lack reliable internet access. Those hotspots are configured so they will only provide a signal for the district-assigned Chromebooks.
The district has also upgraded its internet lines inside school buildings from 100 megabits to 200. The project cost was $65,000, but the district will only pay $6,000. The rest of the costa will be covered by federal funds through the E-Rate program.
The district will also be switching its phone system from Cisco to Switchvox. Adams said the change will result in the district paying a third of what it used to. Staff will receive no phones and have individual voicemail boxes at no additional cost. The system can also be accessed on staff’s personal cell phones through a mobile app.
Adams said the new system will cost approximately $160,000 and that half of that amount can be paid through state funds.
The board also set an organizational meeting for Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Mansfield City Schools is currently operating remotely, with students at all grade levels and buildings attending remote classes through Jan. 8. Jefferson said he make an announcement about whether or not the district will return to in-person instruction on Jan. 7 after consulting with Richland Public Health.
The board also:
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Heard an evaluation of a community survey conducted by Fallon Research and Communications.
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Approved the November financial report and gifts to the district.
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Approved various contracts and personnel actions.
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Approved a resolution to terminate the teaching contract of Jessica Blaseg.
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Met in executive session to consider the employment, dismissal, or discipline of a public employee or official.
