Westside Messenger - October 3rd, 2021

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PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - October 3, 2021 By Dedra Cordle Staff Writer A local law enforcement agency will continue to provide security services for the South-Western City Schools District. At its meeting on Sept. 27, the district’s board of education unanimously approved a new agreement with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to provide security services at Franklin Heights and Westland High Schools. Under the terms of the agreement, the district will pay the department approximately $235,000 for the use of two deputies (or one at each school) for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year. Superintendent Dr. Bill Wise said the importance of having resource officers at the schools cannot be understated. “Those officers are, and have been, an integral part of our schools,” he said after the meeting. “They provide answers to students and they provide support to our staff as well as our students.” He said all of the resource officers have undertaken extensive educational training through the state’s school resource officers association to which the students and staff benefit immensely through the sharing of that knowledge. “The resource officers develop relationships with these students (through this training) and they help link the community, the schools and the students together.” Tim Donahue, the principal of Franklin Heights, www.columbusmessenger.com In Education Board OKs contract for security at high schools Serving Your Community Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek Proudly Announcing Adding New Attorneys To Serve You! WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY Since 1972 Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 SWCS Continued from page 1 for illnesses, the district may not be able to maintain normal transportation operations in the near future. “We need to be in a position to fill these spots,” he said. “This (hourly rate hike) is an attempt to do that.” South-Western City Schools is not the only district facing bus driver shortages; in fact, driver shortages are being felt across the state and throughout the country. To address the issue, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently activated its National Guard to drive kids to school amid the shortage. Several districts in Ohio have called on Governor Mike DeWine to do the same. At a press briefing on Sept. 24, DeWine said he and Attorney General David Yost were committed to prioritizing background checks for school bus drivers and others pursuing their Commercial Driver’s License. All school bus drivers have to have a CDL in order to operate a school bus. “This will not solve all of the problems in regard to bus drivers but it was one of the things that we looked at that we could actually take some immediate action and we believe get some results and speed some of this up,” DeWine said at the briefing. The district said it will also assist those seeking to become bus drivers, regular or substitute, obtain their CDL. In addition to a shortage of substitute bus drivers, the district is also experiencing a shortage of substitute teachers. At the Sept. 27 meeting, the board unanimously approved an increase of the daily substitute teaching rates of $155 for retired SWCS teachers, $145 for sub pool substitute teachers, and $130 for day-today substitute teachers, effective Oct. 1, 2021. Like substitute bus drivers, substitute teachers will also receive lump sum payments of $500, $750, and $1,000 after working at the district for 50 days, 100 days, and 150 days, respectively. To become a substitute teacher, shared a similar sentiment, stating that resource officers often go beyond their duties to provide assistance within the school and throughout the community. “Our school resource officer, Deputy Dan Fahy, has done a tremendous job developing relationships and building trust with all facets of our school community,” he wrote in a statement. “Students, parents, and staff all feel very comfortable reaching out to Deputy Fahy and asking for his support and guidance. “Deputy Fahy is a true part of the Falcon Family and is often found volunteering his time working with our Special Olympics events, attending school plays, or teaching a student how to change their tire.” In addition to providing protection of the building premises, the resource officers are required to investigate and document unruly, delinquent and criminal acts within the school and neighborhood; participate in classroom and school assemblies; serve as a liaison with neighborhood businesses and residents in school related problems; and provide early detection of deviant behaviors in students. The district’s agreement with the county sheriff’s office is done on an annual basis. The district also has an agreement with the Grove City Division of Police to provide security services at Central Crossing and Grove City High Schools. one must have obtained a bachelor’s degree. To find more information on how to apply to become a substitute bus driver or substitute teacher, visit the district’s employment section on its website, swcsd.us. In other meeting news, Michael Dingeldein, the director of architecture and planning with the Community Design Alliance, presented the board with an update on the middle school construction project. According to Dingeldein, the project is facing typical struggles with supply chain issues related to insulation, foam and steel, but has otherwise not felt a deep impact with material and supply delays. “We are right on schedule (with the planned opening for the fall of 2022),” he said. He did, however, state that inflation has risen due in large part to supply chain delays and worker shortages. For instance, the cost of furniture has risen 40 percent since the build project began. He said they are currently looking through the district’s inventory to see if some furniture or classroom furnishings can be reused at the new sites. Wise said this particular Ohio Facilities Construction Commission project has been the district’s “most challenging round” of school builds due to supply chain issues and pandemic related delays. He said despite the challenges, the project continues to be “on time and on budget, or within our budget.” In 2018, voters approved a 38-year, $93.4 million bond issue to pay for its share of the OFCC project which will replace four of its oldest middle schools and make renovations to another. Pleasant View Middle School and Brookpark Middle School will be relocated to Holt Road and the new Beulah Park Living development, respectively. The district is currently seeking community input on renaming those schools. To take part in their survey, visit their website at swcsd.us.
www.columbusmessenger.com Township Focus Property maintenance code debated in Prairie By Amanda Ensinger Staff Writer Residents in Prairie Township voiced frustration about not having a property maintenance code. The issue was discussed at a recent board meeting. “One property has trash, cars, gutters hanging down and there are worries of someone getting hurt,” said Roger Spencer, township resident. Trustee Steve Kennedy said nothing can be done because they must follow the Ohio Revised Code. However, Trustee Cathy Schmelzer said she disagrees and believes more could be done. “I want to get things cleaned up,” Schmelzer said. “However, I can only do so much with one vote as a trustee.” Trustee Doug Stormont believes it should be on the ballot for residents to vote on, while Kennedy does not think the township should have one. “I personally don’t believe in having a property maintenance code,” Kennedy said. “Governments should not have a say in how homes are kept or in people’s lives. The vote went to the residents 15 years ago and it was voted down.” Kennedy added that the zoning department costs the township approximately $400,000 per year and if there was a property maintenance code implemented, the zoning department’s budget would need increased to manage the increased flow. “The aging population is big in the township and if it is implemented, can the aging homeowners be able to have the work done,” Kennedy questioned. In other news, residents expressed concerns about the city of Columbus hoping to build a recreation center on the westside that could be seen as competition to the township’s community center. At a recent Westland Area Commission meeting, the need for a recreation center on the westside dominated the conversation. Commissioner Janet Cahill said she spoke to city council members regarding the lack of parks and recreation on the westside of Columbus. According to Cahill, in their conversation, a council member had referred to the westside as a recreation desert. According to commissioners, a recreation center would offer families services in their own community. There are not many parks on the westside easily accessible by foot or by bike. The community wants to keep their kids off the streets and engaged in different activities close to home. While residents in Prairie Township agree there is a need, they worry about the impact this proposed center could have on the Prairie Township Community Center, which is also on the westside and attracts most of their membership from Columbus and other surrounding communities. “What impact could the building of this center have on our community center,” asked resident Joe Meyer. Leadership said they are not focused on this as no center is currently in the works. Instead, officials want to focus on continuing to increase membership and getting visitors back to center. The center currently has over 5,400 members, with more than 70 percent being non-residents. They are also averaging approximately 130 new membership or renews a month and have a 98 percent retention rate. Some of the successful programming they have offered includes group fitness classes, basketball, pickleball, soccer camp, swim lessons, flag football camp, t-ball and the farmer’s market. The board also discussed allowing cameras at the Galloway Road Sports Complex baseball fields. According to Prairie Township Administrator Rob Peters, these cameras will allow parents to watch the games if they were not able to be there. October 3, 2021 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 3 JEFFREY P. COMPTON ATTORNEY AT LAW General Practice Personal Injury • Domestic Probate • Wills Power of Attorney Healthcare Documents FREE CONSULT & PARKING 614-875-7233 Fax: 929-474-9475 1665 London-Groveport Rd., Grove City www.jeffreypcompton.com Email: jcompton@jeffreypcompton.com ELECT ROD PRITCHARD FOR PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Paid for by Rod Pritchard for Prairie Township Trustee VOTE Tom Sussi For Columbus City Council More than 30 years ago, I left Youngstown, moved to Columbus, and opened Frank’s Fish & Seafood Market. Over the years, I’ve met a lot of people including local reporters. One of them is Tom Sussi who I call a friend. I always admired how Tom fought for people in his reports and called out the nonsense with our local public officials and politicians. My friend is fighting for a seat on Columbus City Council, and if you know anything about the corrupt political machine that has “ruled” our city for more than two decades, then you understand it won’t be an easy fight. We need a guy who supports law and order and fights for lawabiding citizens. We need a guy who will always put our best interests ahead of the fat cats and big businesses that bankroll political campaigns. We need a fighter, not another politician. We need Tom Sussi. I urge all my friends and customers to support Tom in his run for City Council and vote Sussi on November 2.
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Westside Messenger - October 3rd, 2021

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