RACINE — A Southern Local bus driver has been suspended for five days for leaving the scene of an accident.

According to a resolution passed unanimously by the Southern Local Board of Education during their recent meeting, Charlie Lawrence has been suspended for five days without pay.

The resolution reads,

The Superintendent recommends that Mr. Charlie Lawrence be suspended for five (5) days without pay, for good and just cause, specifically leaving the scene of an accident involving school transportation.

The suspension was effective Feb. 26, 2013.

According to Superintendent Tony Deem, Lawrence returned the bus to the bus garage after hitting a tree limb hanging over the road instead of staying at the scene of the accident. The accident occurred approximately two weeks ago in the Bend area.

The board approved several agenda items during their recent meeting including change orders for the high school building project.

Nine change orders were approved by the board as submitted.

These include, $4,347, material and labor to install 2x4s for exterior openings, head on windows; $1,281, footing not shown on prints for wall along ramp in corridor C; $1,790, material and labor to install two lights along sidewalk; $3,604, provide connection between lintel and 24 inch beam at mechanical room; $2,432, multiple scope changes with walls, beams, lintels, and doors; $1,927, revise casework, provide tack board and refrigerator outlet; $4,605, modify pipe case/display case; $1,834, labor and material to add additional hip vents; $944, revise power for AC-2.

In other business, the board approved revised appropriations in the amount of $18,376,429 as presented by the treasurer.

Membership in the Ohio School Boards Association was approved in the amount of $3,633.

A contract with School Pointe for the district’s website services was approved in the amount of $4,820 for the five-year period running July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2018.

A contract was approved with Strategic Solutions to digitize school records in accordance with the contract presented by the treasurer.

An agreement was approved with Ohio University for athletic trainer services for the 2013-14 school year. The total amount is $10,400, with $5,000 paid by Holzer.

Personnel items approved by the board included the resignation of Richard Cooksey, middle school science teacher for retirement purposes effective May 23, 2013.

The resignation of Jenny Manuel from the after-school tutoring program was approved.

Abe Alassaf, Daniel Fulton, Kevin Porter and Diane Smith were approved as certified substitutes for the remainder of the school year.

Zach Ash was hired on a supplemental contract as the reserve baseball coach for the 2013 season as a rate of $1,400. Jordan Taylor and Chris Kamerer were approved as volunteer assistant baseball coaches.

The board entered into executive session to discuss complaints against an employee and possible discipline and to prepare for upcoming negotiations.

The board will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 4 in the high school media center to investigate complaint(s) against employees and possible disciplinary actions.

The next regular meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25 in the high school media center.