Schools

School Board Approves $5M Bond Sale

The money will be used to fund the next phase of construction at Lemon Grove Middle School and the proposed joint-use library.

Money—where it’s coming from, how it will be used and what might happen if there’s not enough of it—was the big topic of discussion at the Lemon Grove School District governing board meeting Tuesday night at the Community Center. With so much depending on the outcome of the state’s budget crisis, the district continues to face a financially uncertain future while looking for ways to meet additional strains on its pocketbook and make needed improvements.

Among the decisions the board made Tuesday night was the approval of another bond sale for $5 million, which will be used to fund the next phase of construction at Lemon Grove Middle School and the planned joint-use library to be build adjacent to the school.

The middle school has been closed since 2010 for extensive construction. When complete, the school will open as a science, technology, engineering and math magnet school. The 13,000-square-foot community/school library proposed for the site would replace the 9,000-square-foot county branch library currently located in a storefront on Broadway.

Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a move aimed at saving money and avoiding layoffs by encouraging senior teachers to retire early, the board approved a retirement incentive offer through the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

“We are making every effort to avoid certificated layoffs,” Superintendent Ernest Anastos said. “This is one of our strategies.”

Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Among other actions taken Tuesday, the board also approved:

  • Reconvening the English Language Arts Adoption Committee to select updated materials to be purchased when funding becomes available.
  • The renewal of second terms and the appointment of new members to the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
  • An asbestos abatement contract with the Janus Corp. to safely remove plaster from a PE room at Palm Middle School where a washer and dryer will be installed for cleaning uniforms.
  • The application for a grant from the county that would fund educating the community on how to walk and bike to school safely.
  • Moving the board’s meeting time up to 5:30 p.m. for the closed session and 6 p.m. for the public session.

Also, the district nurse and a business owner received special recognition from the board for outstanding service.

Melinda Chinn, with her husband and two daughters in the audience, was honored for her multifaceted role of school district nurse contending with a complex array of medical and social issues each day.

“She deals with everything, and she does so with grace and professionalism,” Superintendent Anastos said.

Also recognized was Noemi Flores for contributions and support the Antique Row Café has made toward helping the district’s children have healthier options on the school menu, said Robin McNulty, director of nutrition services.

“We’re very grateful,” McNulty said.

The board opened the meeting with a moment of silence for John Plank, a longtime elementary school teacher who died Jan. 25.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here