BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Board of Education received an update on the Bucyrus Elementary auditorium after a piece of plaster molding fell from the ceiling.
The decorative molding fell outside of school hours and no injuries occurred.
Bucyrus City Schools Treasurer Ryan Cook said a piece of decorative plaster molding, approximately five feet in length, fell from the auditorium ceiling between the stage and the first row of seats.
He said initial fears were the plaster was damaged by water leaking through the roof and damaging the ceiling. Cook then said after inspections by a contractor, it appeared the damage was caused by the vibrations of an HVAC unit in the ceiling.
He said he also saw the molding, which is the original from the construction of the building, appeared to only be 60-percent full of mortar. He added the contractor’s opinion was to fix the plaster and mortar and anchor the molding every 18 inches.
The financial aspect of the project raised concerns with some of the board members.
Adam Stone asked if the possibility of removing all the molding was investigated, or if the entire auditorium has been inspected since the piece fell.
Cook admitted he had just made a board agenda item for the repair of the molding, as he assumed that would be the route the board would want to go to get the auditorium operational as quickly as possible. He said he could have quotes for multiple options by the January board meeting.
The board asked for an assessment be completed on the entire ceiling of the auditorium before any repairs be made, and in the future board members want to see quotes for repairing the molding and for the option of removing all the molding.
Cook said he would have a quote for the assessment for the January meeting.
He then said members of the Crawford County Community Concert Association Board asked about upcoming concerts and if the venue would be available.
The board said its priority is the functionality of the school, and everything else comes after.
“Are they concerned enough to open their checkbooks?” Stone asked.
Bucyrus City Schools Director of Student Services John Massara, who acts as the district’s liaison to the concert association and serves on its board, asked what specifically should be relayed to the group.
Stone said he appreciates what groups like the community concert association provide for the community, but the boards primary concern is doing what’s best for the students.
“They’re either going to help us fix or removing the molding or it’ll reflect in the rent,” Stone said.
Board member Deb Hoover agreed.
“We don’t have the means to do it ourselves,” she said.
Cook said during the meeting, he believed the $400 rent being charged for the use of the facility was too low.
Stone said he understands some community members will want to see the auditorium remain as is.
“It may not be feasible,” Stone said. “Our duty is to the kids.”
Board member John Kime said similar sentiments.
“We can’t focus all our money on the auditorium and not in the classroom,” he said.
Cook said he will have a quote for the assessment at the Jan. 9 meeting.
In other board business, the board approved the termination of the district’s contract with the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, effective in June when the current contract expires.
“It’s what we have to do to be able to shop around,” Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said.
The board was informed district administrators met with members of the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, based in Tiffin, and had a positive experience. Bucyrus High School Principal Dr. Mark Burke said multiple services not provided by Mid-Ohio ESC were discussed with North Central Ohio ESC staff and he believed it would be a positive change if the board decided to go that direction.
Kimmel said eight individuals employed through Mid-Ohio ESC provide services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and others. He said North Central Ohio ESC said they would hire those individuals as to keep the in-house staff at BCS the same.
During the opportunity to address the board, Donna Hoy expressed her concerns and gratitude with Bucyrus Elementary School.
Hoy said she has three grandchildren in the elementary, with custody of two of the children. She said she wanted to publicly thank Kimmel and Massara for the work they, along with other administrators in the building, do for the students.
She encouraged the board to pay closer attention to specifically the special needs populations. She said the teachers do a great job but need more help.
“The classroom sizes are too big,” she said. “And you need to continue to pay attention to the students even after they pass the third-grade reading. They still need to continue to learn in the fourth grade.”
Board members said they appreciated Hoy coming in to speak to them.
The board’s next meeting is Jan. 9 with an organizational meeting at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting following.