CANFIELD — The board of education approved hiring its own experts Wednesday to deal with the July 11 Material Sciences Corp. leak and the testing planned for the creek and on the school property.

Canfield Superintendent Joe Knoll placed a resolution on Wednesday’s agenda to hire Intertek PSI, a provider of construction assurance, testing and inspection in civil and commercial construction. The contract would be for an amount not to exceed $10,000.

“This will be a third party serving as a guide for us,” said Knoll. “They will be able to assess the testing and put the results into plain English for us to understand. They will serve as oversight for the district.”

He explained MSC had hired August Mack to test and clean the spill in accordance with Ohio EPA requirements. Among the test sites the EPA has required are in the high school parking lot at the wrestling room and at the concession stand site near the football field. Testing is also to take place along Sawmill Creek, which borders the rear yards of people on South Briarcliff and the northern border of the high school sports fields.

The Ohio EPA has asked August Mack to install a temporary fence along the creek while testing is taking place.

Placing the fence required the school board to pass a second resolution allowing for the fence to be installed by and paid for by August Mack.

Knoll said the fence on the school side would run from the baseball field fence east to Cardinal Drive. The board approved the fence installation.

Knoll did say the district was going to ask for gates to access the area if needed.

Also Wednesday, resident Jason Henry addressed the board during public comment and asked the board members to move on a plan for the schools.

“I didn’t see facility planning on the agenda,” he said. “I hope there are discussions taking place on facilities. We can’t just come back in August and put a levy on the ballot. We need to plan now so we are prepared.”

He suggested getting a plan together now, whether it be a new school, or a levy to raise funds for maintenance of existing buildings.

“Just because it is not on the agenda, doesn’t mean it’s not on our minds,” said board President Nader Atway. “The community should know the need for a new building has not gone away.”

He told Henry he understands that as each month goes by, the board is pushing against the clock. Atway also said he understands short timelines can hurt chances of passing a levy.

In other business:

A proclamation was read to show appreciation to school counselors Tara Kalina and Candy Reed from the high school, Angela Lamping and Stephanie Ruark from Canfield Village Middle School, and elementary counselor Kristina Tokash. School Counselor Recognition Week was Feb. 3-7.

A second proclamation was presented to recognize Canfield School Resource Officers Steve Garstka, Mike Sroka and Josh Zmuda. “They do a great job connecting with the kids,” Knoll said.

The officers will be recognized during National SRO Appreciation Day Saturday.