Madison Messenger - September 1st, 2019

PAGE 2 - MADISON MESSENGER - September 1, 2019
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Madison-Plains mulls facility update strategy
By Josephine Birdsell
Staff Writer
Then, Fanning Howey and the committee would hold
larger meetings to inform and gather feedback from the
proceed with facility updates by their Oct. 15 meeting, if not by their
Sept. 10 meeting.
Whether through renovation or full replacement, the
general public about the proposed plans.
Regardless of who they choose as a partner, the board is committed
to updating facilities in the district.
Madison-Plains school board says it is time to update
At the June 18 school board meeting, Fanning
the district’s facilities.
Howey presented a facilities assessment for the district, “(The facilities) are in desperate need,” Eisler said. “Many of the
At the board’s Aug. 27 meeting, Tim Hamilton of
which addressed the necessity and possible cost of facility
renovations and replacements. The firm recom-
difficult because of how old they are… We have quite a bit that is
mechanical systems are antiquated. Getting parts for them is very
Fanning Howey, an architecture and interiors firm specializing
in school design, presented a plan to help the
mended complete replacement of the intermediate breaking down and in need of repair.”
district start the updating process.
school and high school; the estimated cost is $25 million.
finance facility changes. If the board chooses to partner with Fan-
At this time, school officials have not determined how they will
Fanning Howey proposes a community engagement
program that would allow Madison-Plains community
But there is still a lot to consider.
ning Howey, they will consider whether to involve the state which
members to play an active role in the planning process.
The board has yet to decide if they will partner with could cover up to 7 percent of the cost. The remaining cost would be
First, the district would create a facilities advisory
Fanning Howey. Deciding factors include cost and proposals
from competing firms. Madison-Plains Superin-
“That’s [why] we want to engage our community,” Eisler said,
funded locally.
board, comprising school board members, teachers, parents
and other community members who would determine
what is needed in new or renovated facilities.
tendent Chad Eisler noted that Fanning Howey comes “because the schools belong to the community. We want them to
highly recommended.
have a say in determining what they want to do with their schools
The board aims to have a decision on how they will in terms of payment.”
Mt. Sterling close to wrapping up state finance fixes
By Drew Garrett
Staff Writer
The village of Mount Sterling continues to make
progress in getting back on the right track with the
State of Ohio.
On Aug. 26, village council passed several pieces of
legislation addressing long-term, systemic problems.
The newly adopted policies correct issues of concern and
findings put forth by the Ohio Auditor of State’s office
when the village was put on fiscal emergency in 2017.
The issues stemmed partially from the corruption and
mismanagement perpetrated under the watch of former
village administrator and convicted felon, Joe Johnson.
The new policies range from detailing the procedure
and setting parameters for conducting purchase orders
to establishing common-sense guidelines for use of village-owned
vehicles and other property.
The lack of such policies allowed for past administrators
and employees to spend village money with near
abandon and use village property for personal gain or
recklessly to calamitous effect.
A commission that includes representatives from the
state auditor’s and treasurer’s offices oversees the village’s
financial management. This will remain the case
until the state lifts the village’s fiscal emergency status.
According to Mount Sterling fiscal officer Courtney
Bricker, the village needs to resolve just four remaining
findings in order for the state to lift the fiscal emergency.
She estimates the work should be done some
time in December.
In other action, council authorized Mayor Billy Martin
to enter into contract for a second time with AJ Asphalt
to begin the next phase of the village’s street and pothole repairs.
Council held a first reading on an amendment to the village’s traffic
control law. The change would authorize the village administrator to
close streets for repair, put up stop signs, and perform other functions
necessary to facilitate traffic safety and convenience.
National recognition
Marjorie Daniels (right), newly elected Phi Beta Psi National
president, presents the National Editor Award to Stefanie Cunningham,
outgoing editor for the local Iota Beta chapter. Phi
Beta Psi is a charitable organization with a focus on raising
funds for the fight against cancer.
SHEKINAH
Continued from page 1
been going on for 39 years come to an end. We know people are
going to miss it,” Kauffman said.
Over the last few years, school leaders have been making
changes to Shekinah’s tuition and financial aid systems to make finances
more sustainable and predictable. Those changes will help
to fill the void from the loss of the festival proceeds.
The school is looking at new ways to fill the remaining funding
gap, as well as provide its families and students with new opportunities
for fellowship and connection with the broader community.
“We plan to do some mini community events,” Kauffman said.
What form those events take is yet to be determined. Kauffman
said announcements will be posted to the school’s webpage and
Facebook page.