Pages of the Press

: Written by J. Patrick Eaken; July 19, 2012; Hits: 1581

Chamber raising funds for new playground

Plans for a new playground at Pearson Metropark call for more than the typical swings and slides. The new landscape will have those elements, of course, but the Pearson Playscape will offer much more.

New playgrounds in the Metroparks are being designed with unique, interactive sculptures created by a local company to reflect the natural environments of the parks. At Pearson, the new playground will incorporate sculptures of trees and animals that are enticing to children and educational at the same time.

: Written by Kelly Kaczala; July 19, 2012; Hits: 4011

The Oregon school board last Tuesday voted 5-0 for P.J. Kapfhammer to be president of the board.

Dick Gabel was president until he resigned recently due to health issues. The board also voted for board member Diane Gadus, who had been acting president, as vice president of the board.

“I love this district and have spent my entire life in this community,” Kapfhammer said in a press release issued by the school district. “The schools have been good to me and helped prepare me for success as a businessman. I am honored to be elected President of the Oregon City Schools Board of Education. We now have a new board and I am looking forward to providing the leadership necessary to move this district forward.”

: Written by Mark Griffin; July 19, 2012; Hits: 1273

A forwarded school email helped Woodmore teacher Ellen Saffran get a free trip to San Diego.

Saffran, 36, who has been a biology teacher at Woodmore for the past five years, will be in Southern California from July 16-20 attending Honeywell’s Green Boot Camp.

“I’ve been to San Diego once, about four years ago,” said Saffran, a Port Clinton resident. “I worked on a Rose Bowl float. I used to teach floral design with Toledo Public Schools. They (Rose Bowl parade committee) take volunteers all the time.”

: Written by Kelly Kaczala; July 19, 2012; Hits: 1101

A special board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 25th at 7:00 PM in the Clay High School Library/Media Center to discuss the district’s finances and look at the long term financial needs of the district.

The current Five Year Forecast shows the district will begin deficit spending at the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Board President P.J. Kapfhammer is urging the public to attend the meeting and provide input on the future of the schools.

: Written by Kelly Kaczala; July 19, 2012; Hits: 3710

Toledo Edison shut down a 900 kilowatt wind turbine installed at Clay High School in May because it is missing a trip switch that would prevent backfeeding of electrical energy to and from Edison’s substation.

“The turbine is perfect,” said Dean Sandwisch, business manager for the Oregon City Schools District. “Edison is requiring a shut down switch that would stop the turbine from operating and backfeeding into the system in the event of an electrical mishap, such as a lightning strike. And we’re working to accommodate Edison.”