July 28, 2011
SWCS planning merit-based pay By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers Planning has started for merit-based pay for South-Western City School administrators. Performance-based merit pay raises were part of the contract approved June 10 for administrators. Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, new adminis-
trative employees, and any current administrators who opt to do so, will take part in a merit-based compensation structure. Superintendent Bill Wise said the district started to study the idea of performance compensation when there appeared to be a trend at the federal and state level. “We’ve been in the process of look-
ing at performance compensation for actually about two years,” he said. Compensation would be awarded using a goals-based system with measurable objectives, Wise said. Student performance would be a significant component. The district has about 20,000 students. Administrative employees, the SouthWestern Administrative Association
(SWAA) leadership, the district treasurer, the deputy superintendent, the head of personnel, and probably a board member will be involved primarily in development. The district won’t hire any outside consultant, so no outright additional expenditure will occur, Wise said. Wise said he hasn’t heard any concerns about the plan at this point. Ad-
ministrative employees “have been very cooperative and very understanding” as the district works through the process, he said. The district has about 90 SWAA members. Given natural turnover, Wise estimated the vast majority of administrative emSee SWCS, page A2
Mount Carmel plans to build emergency care center
SUMMER SIZZLE
By SARAH SOLE
urgent care, women’s health serv-
ThisWeek Community Newspapers ices, imaging services, rehabili-
Grove City is preparing for the arrival of a 24-7 emergency room facility to be run by Mount Carmel Health System. Mount Carmel is in contract with Mid-America Racing Association Inc. to purchase 112 acres to develop its healthcare services at the site of the former Grovebrook Golf Club off state Route 665. City development director Chuck Boso said city council would have to approve the development plan and the rezoning. The site currently is zoned recreational. Given the property’s size, it would probably be zoned as a planned unit development. Mount Carmel already operates an outpatient center in Grove City at 3000 Meadow Pond Court, housing a primary care physician practice and offering
tation services and clinical laboratory services. The new facility also could improve emergency medical service, which is provided to Grove City by Jackson Township. The urgent care facility at 3000 Meadow Pond Court and OhioHealth’s facility at 2030 Stringtown Road each have ambulance service, said Jacob Merion, EMS coordinator for Jackson Township Fire Department. “Even though many of our runs will still require transport to other facilities, the ones that can go to Mount Caramel’s new ER will ease the time it takes our medics to get back in service and back in our community to take another emergency run,” Merion said. The runs they transport to the new Grove City emergency room will save about 30 to 45 minutes See MOUNT CARMEL, page A5
City gears up to celebrate homecoming By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Eric George/ThisWeek
Brayden Davis, 3, plays with a hula hoop with his grandmother, Barb Rogers, while Soul Kitchen performs during the Summer Sizzle concert series July 22 at Town Center Plaza. Concerts are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. held every Friday and Saturday through Aug. 20.
Mud volleyball will raise funds to support Meals On Wheels By SARAH SOLE ThisWeek Community Newspapers On Aug. 6, volleyball players will get muddy in the name of charity. The 22nd annual Grove City Mud Volleyball Tournament, which raises funds for the Meals On Wheels program, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 at Beulah Park, 3811 Southwest Blvd. The cost is $150 per six-member team. Each team must have a minimum of two women, and players must be at least 18 years old. The tournament is a single elimination, but each team is guaranteed at least three matches, said city recreation superintendent Ed Merritt. Teams can register at the parks and recreation office at 4035 Broadway, or by mailing or faxing a registration form available
“
It’s a muddy, good time. Most people will be covered from head to toe in mud by the end of the day.
STEVE MERRITT
”
—City recreation superintendent
online at http://www. grovecityohio.gov/. A few teams already have registered. Merritt said he expects 30 to 40 teams to participate. “It’s a great event,” he said. Concession stands with food and beverages will be available next to the courts. Portable restroom facilities and portable showers are available within walking distance.
Join us for our
OPEN HOUSE
The city funds the event, and works with Beulah Park and the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio. “It’s a muddy, good time,” Merritt said. In a volleyball court that’s nothing but mud and water, players often duct tape their shoes on their feet so they don’t fall off. “Most people will be covered from head to toe in mud by the end of the day,” Merritt said. Grove City resident Todd Sigman has participated in the tournament off and on for about 15 years, first playing when he was about 18 years old. Now he plays with his siblings and their families. Given that the water is as deep as 10 inches, it’s very hard to move around, he said, and it’s also challenging to keep mud out of your eyes. See VOLLEYBALL, page A5
What:
Open House
When:
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 5-7p.m.
Where:
Primrose School at Pinnacle 1239 Lamplighter Drive Grove City, OH 43123
RSVP:
614.270.1559
Grove City will kick off its annual alumni softball tourA closer look nament with music and some friendly competition. The 22nd annual Grove Look inside for the 2011 City Homecoming Celebra- Grove City Homecoming tion will be held from 6 to special section for more 10:30 p.m. July 29 on Broad- information. way between Grant Road and Grove City Road, and on Park Street between First Avenue and the railroad tracks to the west. The annual Grove City Homecoming Alumni Softball Tournament will be held July 30-31 at fields throughout the city. Broadway will be closed from Grant Street to Grove City See HOMECOMING, page A2
GBQ releases accounting report GBQ Consulting, hired by the city in January to review Grove City’s books, has delivered its report on the city’s internal accounting. A city press release said, “GBQ found that the current procedures and internal controls related to bank reconciliation and cash management procedures were oper-
ating as designed and were similar to what would be observed in similar-sized organizations.” GBQ, which initially was paid for $20,000, was hired for an additional $25,000 to review management procedures and bank account reconciliations, for a total See GBQ, page A5
www.PrimrosePinnacle.com Complimentary Registration through August 19th ®2011 Primrose School Franchising Company.