Cumberland School Board Discusses Track Improvements

Cumberland school board members discussed improvements to the school district track at this month's meeting.

Coach Bill Ault told the board the track "is starting to disintegrate". He termed the track "an outside classroom for students K-12".

Joe Schuit of Byrne and Jones Sports Construction said the Cumberland track is experiencing worn track surfacing, grooving in of high traffic areas, and asphalt paving seam reflections and crack throughs. Schuit said the track could be patched and resurfaced, but that it wouldn't be a long-term solution. He asked the board to consider a polyurethane running track system, that he said would provide the consumer with 25 to 35 years of surface life, less frequent resurfacing. He said that if the board is okay with moving forward with the project, it would be scheduled for the summer of 2023 at the earliest.

Cumberland Superintendent Todd Butler said the ventilators on the two buildings' rooftops have been repaired or replaced, and the air exchange rate has improved. There is a full HVAC system being designed by a performance contractor that will be installed in the grade and middle school building in June of 2023, with the school district waiting on finalized costs, design specs and prices.

Online registration for Cumberland schools is set for July 27 through August 5.

In personnel moves, the Cumberland board accepted the resignation of James Miller as high school cross country coach, accepted the resignation of Jake Edwards as a middle school teacher, employed Mandy Probst as a special education teacher, employed Aaron Janssen as a teacher, and transferred Kathy Bradley to the open position of bus aide.

The board approved applying for a Three Circles Matching Grant contingent on an acceptable memorandum of understanding between the board and the Cumberland Education Association, with Wes Chambers voting No.

Board members also approved 2022 to 2027 contracts with administrators and/or administrative aides Kevin Maynard, Daniel Huffman, Stacy Keyser, Erin St. John and Mike Oakley with Beth Reeder and Josh McElravy voting No.