Newark tables renaming school
By John Zornow

The naming of the present Newark Middle School building on West Miller St. was tabled at last night's board of education meeting. This will be delayed until more information can be read concerning proposals made by groups and individuals.

Some of the names mentioned at the meeting for the soon-to-be elementary school were the Joseph Miller School, after the founder of the village, Creekside School, Rose Garden School, Bartle School after James P. Bartle, whose mansion was torn down to build the school in 1939, and others.

Teacher Sue Bunce presented a proposal that would name the building after Floyd Greene, former principal of the school, who is still active in coaching. Sue Balschmiter brought up a suggestion from the shared decision making committee, recommending that the Kelley name be removed from the present Kelley School and assigned to the Miller Street building. At a previous board meeting, it was decided that the Kelley school had been specifically named in 1969 to honor Norman R. Kelley, and the name should remain with that school building.

Lyle Corey, of LeChase Construction, the general contractors for the $47 million dollar school expansion, introduced the project managers. They gave a detailed description of the phasing in of the five-school construction process. It was stressed during the presentation that, at all times, and at all schools, students will be isolated from the construction projects by fencing and barriers. At the same time, all emergency exits will be maintained. The project managers singled out the Miller St. school as the tightest situation in the entire project, and cautioned that, even though the front of the school will be torn up extensively, it will be restored completely at the conclusion of construction.

Tentative dates for occupying the schools are:

Perkins - September 2000; High School, Kelley School, Miller St. School and Lincoln School - September 2001.

Other business:

District teacher Eric Brewer was named recipient of the 1999 Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award.

Students from the Lincoln, Kelley and Middle Schools were at the meeting to honor the Newark Board of Education members for their dedication to the students of the district. Gifts and plaques were presented to each of the board members. This was done in conjunction with National School Board Recognition Week.

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