EAST CHICAGO | The School City of East Chicago board has approved a proposal from Greentree Builders for masonry repairs and maintenance work at McKinley Elementary School.

The work will include masonry, caulking and maintenance of the wall brickwork and stone work around the windows on the exterior of the school's building, administrators said recently.

Frank Ramirez, East Chicago school treasurer, said the cost of the project is $31,650 and the work will be done shortly.

In other business, the School Board approved an automated substitute calling service and a male mentoring program and a new teacher training program.

Assistant Superintendent Dawn Greene said the district has had a problem with substitute teachers not getting into the buildings on time.

The new, automated system will allow a substitute to input their information and get their assignment. It also will make it easier for school employees to reach substitutes. She said the cost of training for the new system is $650 and will be covered by a grant. The system will cost $1,480 per month and will be paid for through the district's general fund.