Plans to improve the elementary school playground took a step forward and a contract for a trainer for the high school was essentially given back at Thursday’s Rock Hill school board meeting.

The board voted 5-0 to sign a contract with Portco of Scioto County to improve the playground lot at the elementary school, at a cost of

$147,892. It was one of five bids submitted.

“This is for excavating, building a retaining wall, putting drainage behind it and in front of the wall, putting in gravel and asphalt and a rubberized material for safety,” superintendent Lloyd Evans said.

Evans said the project does not include new playground equipment.

Also Thursday, Neil Evans, with Elite Rehab and Fitness, told the board that in light of negative publicity, he would void the contract he had with the school district and provide the services for a trainer voluntarily.

“I was never in it to make any money from it,” he said.

Evans said board member Jackie Harris, who voted for the $1,000 contract, did not have any personal gain from the contract.

Harris is the office manager for Elite. After she voted for the contract there were questions raised by another board member about whether she should have cast a vote because she is employed with the company.