Thursday's Internet Edition, March 11, 2010.

Show time! Little Orphan Annie, played by Heather Martin, sings “Tommorrow” as John Martin listens during the Roane Arts and Humanities Council's presentation of a “Broadway Musicals Revue” at the Spencer Middle School Auditorium last weekend. Photo by David Hedges

At least that’s what Roane Board of Education members think. The architect, however, has a different opinion.

At Tuesday’s school board meeting, financial officer Amy Downey told school board members Paul Cummings, Russell Moore, Joe Painter, Randy Whited and Tom Young that the contractor had submitted a bill for $15,765 for modifications to the fire escape that the fire marshal required before he would allow the gym to reopen.

The gym was closed shortly after school resumed in August because a project to replace the fire escape had not been completed. It remained closed for about two months, until the new fire escape was finished and approved. After the project was finished the first time, the fire marshal required some modifications.

Downey said she had spoken to officials with Williamson Shriver Architects about paying the additional cost. She said the firm refused, saying fire escapes of similar design had been approved elsewhere in the state. The firm claimed the inspector responsible for this part of the state used a different standard.

Board members agreed that the contractor should be paid for the work. They did not agree they should be the ones to pay it.

“I’m not in favor of paying it,” Painter, the board president, said.

“I’m not either,” Young said. “I think it’s the architect’s job to work a little closer with the fire marshal.”

Downey agreed with the board’s opinion. “We hired the architect to create a product to pass code, and it didn’t,” she said.

At Whited’s suggestion, the board decided to authorize Painter and Supt. Steve Goffreda to meet with the architectural firm to work out an agreement so the contractor could be paid.

In other business, the board approved a proposal to upgrade Internet bandwidth at county schools (see separate story) and also discussed concerns about the grease trap at Spencer Middle School.

A letter from sanitarian Randy Lowe issued last week said a 1,500-gallon grease trap had to be installed at the school as soon as possible. If not, Lowe said the cafeteria’s permit to operate would not be extended past June 30.

Board members plan to seek bids on the project for consideration at their next meeting, set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Roane County High School, following a 6 p.m. meeting with the RCHS School Improvement Council.

The board also heard a presentation regarding the Energy Express summer reading program from WVU Extension agent Shannon Cottrill and former Energy Express site supervisors Andrea Hays and Sandy Cooper.

Board members said they would consider their request for $5,000 to help with the program this summer.

The board did approve the resignation of RCHS science teacher Travis Fisher at the end of his contract June 30. They did not agree to approve his resignation immediately, to allow him to accept a position in Wirt County, because there is not a certified science teacher available to fill the position.

Other personnel items approved were:

ν Resignation: Gary King, general maintenance, heating and air conditioning mechanic II, electrician II, carpenter, truck driver and extra-curricular assignment for filter replacement, as of Jan. 19.

ν Removed from transfer list and assigned: Don Williams, math teacher, RCHS (with elimination of Saturday detention assignment).

ν Employment: Bruce Neal, technology integration specialist, Geary Elementary/Middle, amended to include 10 days extended employment for current year, 220 days thereafter.

ν Professional personnel to receive tenure: Kevin Campbell, Amy Cole, K. Scott Greathouse, Troy Hahn, Anna Hardway, Andrea Hays, Rachelle Ochoa, Cindy Sergeon, Cari Ward.

ν Service personnel to receive tenure: Amie Anderson, Barbara Bowers, Randy Burgess, Michael Eisenberg, Kelley Fry, Dixie Hall, Tricia Hicks, Betsy Jarvis, Gwen Karnes, Lisa McGlothlin, Timothy McGlothlin, Janet Rucker, Debbie Wright.

ν Non-tenured professional personnel: Arielle Boyce, Angie Burdette, Joseph Carper, Amy Downey, Cynthia Gandee, Jonathan Gaston, Rachael Hall, Veria Hicks, Shawnee Jarrell, Ashley Linkinogger, Rebecca Lockhart, Richard Moles, Mitchell Nida, Patrick Popp, Andrea Putnam, John Putnam, Danielle Richardson, Benjamin Roberts, Heike Rogers, Kelley Smith, Chad Strimel, Heather Yurco.

ν Non-tenured service personnel: Tina Bell, Paula Burgess, Annetta Ellison, James Epling, John Fore, Sebrina Greathouse, April Hottle, Michael Hughes, William Hunter, Tammy Michael, Millie Nichols, Rhonda Vaughn, Julie Wanstreet, Randy Young.

ν Volunteer: Jae Kinison, for computer technician department.

The board also approved:

ν Expulsion of an RCHS student identified as W.B.C. for 12 months.

ν A right-of-way through school property for a residential water line requested by Tim and Terri Elmore.

ν A request for $1,000 to pay the cost of a weeklong mobile agricultural education lab at Reedy Elementary in May, with the Roane County Farm Bureau to supply the rest of the $1,600 expense.

President Alvin Hunt said the Farm Bureau hoped the program could be offered at the county’s other elementary schools in future years.