Hancock school board discusses offer for Oak Glen tennis

NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Board of Education will be working with the city of Chester in order to provide a new home court for the Oak Glen High School tennis teams.

During Monday's meeting, the board approved a proposal which would have the tennis team able to use the courts in Chester City Park for practice and matches.

Superintendent Dawn Petrovich noted a fund drive is in the works to cover the costs of the renovation, which would include a new playing surface for the courts, security and other materials.

"They're requesting some financial assistance for repaving of the court," Petrovich said. "They're having a fundraiser as we speak."

Board member Michelle Chappell asked if there has ever been a written contract for the tennis team to use off-campus facilities.

Oak Glen Principal Dave Smith explained the team previously had used a facility at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort, which is unavailable because of COVID precautions, and a court near New Manchester. No written agreements have been used for either.

"It was just goodwill," Smith said. "That's the same thing Chester wants to do."

It was recommended the board consider offering some financial assistance, similar to what is done with the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation for the use of the Edwin J. Bowman Baseball Field. Two years ago, the school board authorized a $12,000 contribution to the purchase of a new scoreboard for the Weirton field. The board also provides $3,000 each year to assist with maintenance costs.

Board President Danny Kaser recommended offering to cover the last $10,000 of the fundraising efforts on the courts, as well as to provide $2,000 each year, for five years.

"I think our investment would be pretty safe," Kaser said.

The board agreed to reach out to Chester officials to negotiate the financial contribution.

In other business, the school board approved a proposal to provide an early retirement bonus of $500 for the county's service personnel, on the condition the employee notifies the school district by March 1 of their intentions to retire. The bonus would be paid using county funds. Petrovich noted a similar amount is offered as a bonus for professional employees, with funds provided by the state.

Earlier in the day, as part of a separate session, members of the board convened a work session with representatives of McKinley and Associates to discuss ongoing improvement projects planned for the school district, using levy funds, as well as bonds and money from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The workshop involved an executive session of more than an hour, with Kaser noting the discussion of property issues, contract bidding and the use of bond funds as the reasoning. No action was taken.