Board approves Blue Rose contract, Central Junior High sidewalk change order and easement for Hickory Lakes subdivision

The Pickerington Local School District board on Aug. 25 approved several items aimed at student transportation and site safety, including a contractor for student transportation, a construction change order to add a missing sidewalk at Central Junior High and a resolution to convey easements related to the Hickory Lakes subdivision.

Blue Rose contract: the board moved to approve a contract with Blue Rose for student transportation services for the 2025–26 school year; the motion carried on roll call. Presenters did not list contract dollar amounts during the discussion at the meeting.

Central Junior High sidewalk (GMP amendment 3.1): staff described a stretch of internal roadway near the stadium and softball diamonds that was built without a sidewalk. A district representative said the change order with Verceli Contract Company will add the sidewalk so students walking between the new site south of the stadium and Central Junior High will not have to walk on the roadway. Staff said the work will be funded from bond proceeds. "So this fixes that," a presenter said, describing the new sidewalk as an important egress improvement for student walkers. The board approved the GMP amendment by roll call after clarifying the location and funding source.

Hickory Lakes easements and developer presentation: the board considered a resolution authorizing conveyance of easements for the Hickory Lakes subdivision, which a developer representative described as approximately 182 single‑family homes. The developer (Carl Billis) and district staff said the plan shifts the subdivision egress away from Alt Road onto Achievement Way, adds a dedicated turn lane to relieve queuing, and includes sidewalks and paths to connect new lots to existing walking routes. Billis said ponds totaling about 25 acres will remain and the developer has discussed park/donation options with Fairfield County Regional Parks. "We went back to the drawing board," the district presenter said, describing coordination with the county engineer and township to reduce peak‑time congestion and improve safety for buses, student drivers and parents.

Board members asked about tree preservation, lot sizes and whether buildings such as the event center would remain; the developer said trees are being preserved where possible and the 10,000‑square‑foot event center is expected to remain and may be donated to a church or religious organization for continued event use. After the discussion, the board approved the easement conveyance resolution by roll call.

Attribution: contract and construction details were presented by district staff (identified in the transcript as Rob and other presenters); the subdivision presentation and lot details were provided by developer representative Carl Billis.

Ending: The board approved these items and asked staff to proceed according to the contracts and change order; no appeals or additional public objections were recorded at the meeting.