FOOTBALL STADIUM UPGRADES … Edon Superintendent Anthony Stevens stated that there were two companies he was looking at to work on replacing Edon’s bleachers and press box. The school board decided on Aluminum Outdoors to do the job. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Edon School Board meeting of February 14 began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. All five school board members, Cody Best, Jamie Schaffter, Patty Eicher, Ashley Reed and David Wehrle, were present.
First, the board approved of the minutes of the January 13 organizational and regular meetings.
Next, the board approved of both the January financial reports and the amended certificate request from the county auditor.
The school board then approved of both donations and of the NWOESC January paraprofessional and teacher substitutes lists.
Next, the school board approved of the consent agenda items. Treasurer Deb Nester announced that there will be a school budget hearing in March.
Elementary principal Jennifer Ripke then gave a report. She reported that the dyslexia group met twice and that Edon Elementary reached out to Swanton Elementary, which already has a dyslexia program.
Edon looked at Swanton’s flow charts and will continue to check with them, because of their experience with dyslexia.
In looking at COVID, Ripke stated that it’s very hard to keep kids away from each other and keeping them separated at lunchtime.
She doesn’t think it makes any difference in trying to keep them apart, because they’re going to get together after school, anyway.
Ripke also stated that the elementary school is in the early stages of applying for a 2ast century grant.
Superintendent Anthony Stevens then gave a report. He said that enrollment looks very good. Next, Stevens stated that in looking for companies to upgrade the school’s bleachers and press box, he is down to looking at two groups, Bleachers International in Colorado and Aluminum Outdoors in Kentucky. Stevens said he has worked with Bleachers before, but is more comfortable with the Kentucky group.
Stevens said that he checked on a golf simulator, at a cost of $7,000. He felt that a simulator would help with the cost of the school having to transport players daily to practice, because there is no golf course nearby, for them to practice. A simulator would also allow for work with golfers in the off-season.
Because the school doesn’t have money for a simulator, Stevens suggested that maybe they could reach out to the community for help.
The Williams County survey, to be completed by Edon seventh through 12th graders, was also discussed. Stevens said that parents have the option of having their kids opt out of the program, if need be.
The big point of contention for those at the meeting were survey questions about sexual behavior. The survey is to be administered in the first two weeks of April.
Edon’s preschool program, which has 32 students currently, was also discussed. Ripke stated that a lot of parents want early education.
She said they are favoring a program that will have intervention specialists, as opposed to having a paraprofessional on site.
In new business, Wehrle asked about the possibility of adding an academic committee. The board said they needed more time to digest the idea and discuss it more at next month’s meeting.
Next, the board approved of 12 different action items. First, they approved of the revised 2022 contract with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, with fees deducted from Foundation payments.
The board then approved of the new contract, for 2023, with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.
Next, the board approved of a Resolution accepting the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Committee.
That was followed by the board approving a contract with Northern Buckeye Education Council/Northwest Ohio Computer Association for internet services from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026.
Next, the board approved of the hiring of Allison Bloir, as the new head varsity volleyball coach, followed by approval of Spring Intervention Teachers, at $25 per hour.
The school board then approved of a proposal for the parking lot sealing and striping, along with asking for a description of how much money per foot.
Next, the board accepted the School Bus Purchase Program Award for 2022.
The school board then approved of Outdoor Bleachers for getting the task of replacing the home bleachers and press box.
Next, the school board approved of language changes to Board Policy 5610.
That was followed by the school board approving of the resignation of Hannah Everetts, effective June 30, 2022.
The board then moved into executive session.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com