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Announcements Kathy Myers announced the following: -thanked Amanda Senn for organizing this week’s lunch from Little City Grill and reminded members to sign-up for lunch on the form at each table. Next week lunch will be from Tap Root Catering. -announced that the second Tuesday of each month would be for the celebration of Rotarian Birthdays. The question for the year is “What is the most memorable service you have provided during your life?” -asked for some members to join Todd Kamenash, our Youth Protection Officer, to consider taking the on-line training. Our District 6630 is making this a point of emphasis and we are aligning with provisions of Rotary International. Larry Lohman, Kent Rotary member and District Governor, reinforced the need for Youth Protection Training for any Rotarians working directly with our various youth programs. There is a District Committee established as required by Rotary International and also encouraged members to sign-up for the training. Bill Childers reminded members that the Cruise-In was tomorrow night in Ravenna, noting that the traffic will be heavy. Amanda Senn -reminded members that the Party on the Patio event hosted by Metis Construction was tonight (August 3) from 5:00-7:00PM. -announced that Rotary Club of Kent’s next Happy Hour will be Wednesday, August 11 at Water Street Tavern. We will be on the rooftop if weather permits from 4:00-6:00PM! 100th Anniversary Moment Jim Myers noted that the 25th anniversary of our club’s founding happened in post war reorganization. A sober reminder of the loss our community experienced was the establishment of an Honor Roll, still on display at our Davey School, in memory of fallen soldiers. Read the full account in the eBulletin! Program Asad Khan introduced George Joseph, Superintendent of Kent City Schools the past 7 years and a Kent Rotarian. He noted that that George was born in Pennsylvania but did his graduate work at Kent State University and spent his whole career in education. His presentation was titled Kent City Schools: Capital Improvement Projects Update. In his opening comments, George Joseph thanked the community for their support in being able to provide significant upgrades to our school buildings and properties. He indicated that the breadth of the projects to be completed has been divided into two phases. Phase One is underway. Using pictures, he gave a brief overview of each project including: - The installation of LED lighting, replacing old cost inefficient lighting. This has resulted in brighter, safer lighting. He noted, with humor, that they can now see areas in need of paint they couldn’t see before.
- The replacement of 50-year-old uninvents and the installation of air conditioning in every elementary school. He noted that Bipolar Ionization units are incorporated in each unit, decontaminating the air and reducing odors, providing significant safety for students during the COVID pandemic, and unmatched anywhere in the county. He also noted that outside air coming into the rooms is now at 35%, an increase over the old units.
- The establishment of Secure Vestibules and an electronic visitor identification system. Entry during the school day by parents and visitors will consist of scanning a driver’s license, securing BCI approval, and then receiving a visitor badge.
- The schools are all receiving upgrades in electrical service necessary to meet the demands of the improved air handling and conditioning. This includes the high school, even though the upgrades will be in Phase 2 next summer.
- The replacement of flooring at Stanton Middle School. While only 20 years old, the flooring is deteriorating and in need of replacing.
- The gym floors in Holden and Walls elementary are being replaced with a material for multi-purpose use, including lunches and large programs. The gym floors at Davey and Longcoy are in great shape and are going to be refinished.
- Artificial turf is being installed at Roosevelt Stadium with an expanded drainage system. The endzones will be red and the field a dark green with our logo in the center.
Following these remarks, George apologized upfront for new lines needing installation that will cause route 43 to be reduced to two lanes in October for a week and a half. He then gave a brief listing of the Phase 2 projects planned to start this fall. These include: - Building of a Field House at Roosevelt Stadium.
- Building a new competition gym at Roosevelt High School, noting the age of the old gym and low ceilings.
- Extending the stage in the Roosevelt Auditorium to improve sound.
- Reworking parking lots and traffic patterns at Roosevelt to eliminate road between student and staff parking lots.
The Phase 2 Projects for summer 2022 include: - Completion of the HVAC upgrades at Davey and Roosevelt.
- Natatorium upgrades.
- Completion of Roosevelt Gym addition and Field House.
- Replacement of Stanton’s Roof and Davey floor finishes.
He closed the formal presentation, thanking the club for the opportunity to update the progress being made. In response to specific questions from our members about the projects, he noted the following: -The life expectancy of the new stadium turf is 10 years and they have already begun plans for paying for it. -Only one of the trailers will be removed at Walls Elementary following the addition next summer. -The security systems will not be used for after school activities opened to the community. -Access to the new competition gym will be through the current doors, as well as from a new entrance behind the current building. -All the elementary building will have air conditioning. Responder The response was provided by Roger Sidoti. He thanked Superintendent Joseph for his leadership of our school district and managing the capital improvements during a time of unprecented demands of the COVID 19 pandemic on school leaders. President Kathy reminded everyone: -to sign-up for lunch next week. -consider joining Todd Kamenash for Youth Protection Training. -our August 24th meeting will be at Stanton Middle School. -the 100th Year Celebration Committee will meet immediately following this meeting. On a sad note, Kathy recognized Randy Smith who announced the passing of our member Walt Strawman this past weekend. Details to follow. The meeting ended as President Kathy led us in the recitation of The Rotary 4-Way Test.
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will start the meeting at noon so we can be done by 12:45. We will go outside to the church steps and quickly find our places and SMILE! The last time we had a club photo taken was in 2009. This one will represent our wonderful Kent Rotary Club for our 100th year. I hope everyone can be there that day. If it rains, we will reschedule for the following Tuesday, August 24th. We will be meeting at Stanton Middle School on the 24th, so I am very hopeful that the weather is wonderful and we can all be together for our club photo.
