Superintendent reports SkillsUSA honors and closes Hamlin kitchen for repairs

At the March 31 meeting the superintendent updated the board on recent student achievements and a facilities issue at Hamlin.

He said Lincoln County career-technical education students and others competed at SkillsUSA in Fairmont, an event the superintendent said included more than 6,000 competitors; Lincoln County High School received a chapter-of-excellence recognition and several students won medals. The superintendent praised instructors and said the district will recognize participating students at future meetings.

The superintendent also reported a structural-engineer inspection of the Hamlin kitchen (distinct from the cafeteria) identified a flooring issue and the kitchen would be closed effective Friday to allow repairs. The board discussed a plan to prepare cold foods on site while hot foods would be prepared at Lincoln County High School and transported to Hamlin. School staff roles were described: some cooks will prep cold items at Hamlin while others will prepare hot items at the high school, with rotations to balance workloads.

Board members asked whether the repair will require a formal bid; the superintendent confirmed a bid process will be required and estimated a roughly three-week timeline to advertise for bids and begin work when a contractor is selected. The superintendent said the district is prioritizing the repair and reallocating staff from other projects to expedite work.

No emergency changes to meal service practices were reported beyond the temporary food-preparation plan and the board said it expected students would continue to receive meals during repairs.