Volunteers honored for aiding WinBeri residents
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The Marietta City Board of Education discussed the search for a new director of operations and recognized volunteers who responded in an emergency during their monthly meeting Monday evening.
The meeting started with Darrell Prim, director of operations, who spoke about the district's role in helping residents in the WinBeri Place Apartments fire on Nov. 15.
He recognized and handed a certificate of appreciation to nine volunteers: Carrie Mugrage, Tony Mugrage, Tom Short, John Conant, Randy Hague, Andrew Prim, Ava Prim, Courtlynn Prim and Cameron Miller.
Prim said he found out about the fire through the police scanner. Then he received a call from Tim Fleming, director of curriculum.
"(Tim) said a City Council member had called him about using Harmar Elementary as a center for the residents," he said.
Prim called maintenance staff, including Short, advising them to open up the building and warm it up. Next, Prim got in touch with Marietta Fire Chief C.W. Durham to determine resident needs.
"(Durham) said most of the residents were in wheelchairs," he said
Prim said it took approximately an hour to open Harmar Elementary for the residents. Volunteers brought food, helped carry bags and interacted with the residents.
"The interaction and empathy was amazing," he said.
"Thank you for representing our district so well," board president Sam Tuten said to the volunteers.
Superintendent Brad Silvus said the district is looking for a new director of operations in light of Prim's retirement effective Dec. 31.
The candidates will be invited for interviews either Nov. 30 or Dec. 4, depending on candidate availability. The second round of interviews would take place around Dec. 7 or 11, Silvus said. He said the specifics would be discussed in executive session.
"The goal is we will be ready to hire someone by our December meeting," Silvus said.
The district's next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18.
Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com.