Roderick recognized for 16 years of service

By TOM STANKARD

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Bessemer - With music in the air, the Bessemer Area School's Board of Trustees Monday evening honored staff member LJ Roderick for his 16 years of service.

At the beginning of the meeting, Roderick - the elementary vocal music teacher, played a song, wishing students - staff and residents to stay young forever.

Bob Berg, school board president, presented Roderick with a certificate of recognition.

"It's been a great ride and I appreciate everything that's been done for me," Roderick said.

Moving forward on the agenda, Al Gaiss, trustee, announced the school district's extra curricular committee recommends the finance committee to find funding for a possible junior high school volleyball program. Gaiss said two coaches would be hired, one per seventh and eighth grade. In addition, Gaiss said varsity athletes would serve as referees for home games.

The committee hopes to have the program running by the 2016-17 school year, Gaiss said.

Also on the agenda, the board accepted a letter of understanding from Dave Turula, lead custodian.

With the board's approval, Dave Radovich, superintendent, said the position of lead custodian has been restructured, giving him "much more responsibility.

"He's going to take over the entire maintenance of the district - scheduling staff, ordering parts and troubleshooting," Radovich said.

In other action, the board:

-Approved state-wide school safety procedures and response guide for reportable incidents.

-Heard Dan VanderVelden, A.D. Johnston High School Principal, read a letter from the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce thanking the school's German club for their support through volunteering.