Goodrich Schools-At the Monday, April 14 Goodrich Board of Education meeting, superintendent Dr. Ray Green discussed a reccomendation with board members about a pilot project the high school has planned with U.S. Waterways in Grand Blanc.
The project, which will cost approximately $2,800, includes three filter systems and a small reverse osmosis system for the teachers? lounge to reduce arsenic levels that were found when the school submitted their semiannual report to the Genesee County Health Department. U.S. Waterways previously treated the Goodrich Middle school for similar levels of arsenic found.
The Federal Government currently states that 50 parts per billion are allowed in well water systems. By the year 2006, new standards state the levels must be at 10 parts per billion. Goodrich High School is currently between 30-45 ppb. They are currently in compliance, but are seeking preventative ways to meet future standards.
Co-owner of U.S. Waterways, Steve Christiansen, said, ‘This will greatly reduce the problem the high school has. We find that we are getting tons of requests daily. We also installed the same system in the Brandon Township Library.?
The filters will serve as a semipermeable membrane that rejects impurities from the water, and will be checked in three months, which is the typical life of the filters. The recommendation will be on the agenda for the April 28 board meeting.
Also discussed at the meeting was the budget for the upcoming year for the school system.
Green said that in light of the $150,000 budget cut instituted by Governor Jennifer Granholm, they would have their heads above water with a $40,000-$50,000 surplus.
As far as staffing plans, Green discussed three positions that are available next year. An English position is needed at the High School, and a special education and band conductor position at the Middle School.
In light of recent events with the war, talk of school field trips has not been as much of a hot issue.
‘As of now, we are leaving this up to the students? parents. They have to make the decision, not us. The only trip that was cancelled was the one to France. That was by the teachers? discretion,? said Green.
President of the Board of Education, Michael J. Thorp, added that ‘parents must remember that the world is a much more volatile place than it used to be. It will just have to be up to the parents.?