Message From The Superintendent (June 2020)
Salutations,
I hope this message finds you well. My goal is to do these messages monthly and keep the community up to date on things happening with Portage DD.
As many of you know, our staff have been working remotely. We have decided to continue having our staff primarily work remotely to keep them, and the individuals we serve, safe. This will be in effect at least through June. Additionally, our offices will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The Portage DD offices will not be open on Mondays and Fridays. Please understand, this does not mean we are not operating on Mondays and Fridays. We will continue to provide services on days the offices are closed. At this point, we are only allowing visitors into the building if they are screened and have essential work to be done in the building.
The building on State Route 88, formerly known as Portage Industries, is up for auction on June 17th at 11:00 A.M. The auction will be held in front of the courthouse steps. The minimum bid is $500,000 and we would prefer the buyer to be a Medicaid Certified Developmental Disability provider. Specifically, I would like to see this building continue serving the people it was intended to serve. Additionally, I would also like to address the recent Record Courier article about the auction of the building. The article stated the State Route 88 building and property was worth “approximately $3 million”. This is not the case. The building was appraised at $2.2 million, but the Record Courier did not mention, and is likely not aware, the building needs the roof replaced and a new HVAC system. This investment will cost over $1 million. This is why Portage DD was comfortable setting the minimum bid at $500,000.
Updates are happening at the Dennis M. Coble Administration Building and Happy Day School. The administration building has a new fire alarm system and several staff are being moved around to allow for social distancing. Happy Day School is getting a new roof and staff is being moved from the administration building into some of the unused spaces. The building updates and moves have improved the safety of staff and visitors, given us the ability to better utilize our facilities, and lessen the staff congestion in the administration building.
Don’t forget about all the great events that have happened and are happening at Portage DD. On May 28th we had our first Drive-Thru Say Hello and Wave Day. There were about 75 cars and around 30 staff present for this amazing event. Each car was given a bag of donated food from Portage DD staff. It was great to see so many staff and the smiles from everyone driving by. This Friday, June 5th, we will also have a graduation parade for the 2020 graduates of Happy Day School. There are three graduates this year from Happy Day School. Congratulations to them as they embark on their next phase of life.
I have the privilege of announcing some staff changes within Portage DD. George Winsen will be our new SSA Director effective June 12th. He previously served as one of our SSA Supervisors. Kathy Woods has gone from a part-time to a full-time Speech-Language Pathologist effective May 18th. Lastly, Tim Torch has changed titles. He has gone from HR Specialist to Communications/Human Resources Specialist effective May 4th.
Finally, I want to thank you all for your continued support. We know these are difficult times and are fortunate to serve the individuals, families, and providers of Portage County. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Portage DD will continue to be available via phone, email, and virtual meeting (ZOOM or TEAMS) as we navigate these uncharted waters together. Portage DD will continue to strive to meet and exceed your expectations to assist the individuals so they can achieve what is important to and for them.
Sincerely,
John Vennetti, Superintendent