In a particularly busy evening, the North Central Board of Education met for its August Regular Meeting on August 19.
Superintendent Ken Boyer presented the board with three separate resolutions to help cover the cost of North Central’s Building Project. This project will provide the school with a new auditorium and band room.
The board approved the Ohio Failities Construction Commission Acceptance Resolution. Doing so allowed them to accept $4.3 million from the state for the classroom facility project. The Resolution Petitioning the OSFC to Approve Transfer of Money also passed unanimously, moving $500,000 from the school’s Permanent Improvement Fund in order to provide maintenance on the new structures upon completion. A third resolution, authorizing the lease-purchase financing of school construction and improvements, was approved without issue as well. This will transfer between $1.8-$1.9 million from the Permanent Improvement Fund to the school’s portion of the construction project.
Contract extensions were awarded to Elementary Principal Paul Jones and Junior High/High School Principal Tim Rettig by the board. Both administrators were in the last year of their deal, and both were given a three year extension on their respective deals. Superintendent Boyer praised both men for the improvements they’ve made to the school during their tenure.
“They’ve been a real asset to our school.” Boyer proclaimed.
Jones himself stood before the board as he gave his report.
According to Jones, Kindergarten enrollment stands at 32 kids. 18 children are participating in Pre-Kindergarten. Also, the tactic of co-teaching will be re-utilized in North Central Elementary during the 2014-15 school year. In fact, Sharon Deetz has been moved to the role of full-time member of the React to Intervention Program and progress monitoring.
Jones let the council know that funding for the 21st Century after-school program had been cut by the state government. This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children. The state was providing a grant for said program, but out of 160 applicants in Ohio, only 50-60 schools received funding,none of which were in Williams County.
The program may not be totally dead, however, as Jones brought the possibility of independently opening a similar after-school plan.
“We do have knowledge on how to run the program.”
Jones also noted that, without state funding, the school would be able to set its own standards.
Tim Rettig, principal of the high school, submitted his report to the board as well. Roughly 75% of North Central’s junior high and high school students received laptops at the school’s open house. This marked the highest attendance rate for the school’s open house in recent memory.
The board was also reminded by Rettig of a new teacher starting at the school. Katy Savage, who taught at Wauseon Schools, will begin teaching math at North Central this school year.
The following employments were were met with board approval. Kendra Ely was made Special Education Instructor and Third Grade Co-Teacher with a one-year contract. Laura Haas became an AM Pre-Kindergarten Educational Aide. And a couple of volunteers were given positions as well, with Jace Neal accepting an Assistant Golf Coach Position and John Waterston doing the same for an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach position. Finally, the board awarded a one year supplemental contract to Nicle Geiser as a Summer Intervention Instructor, as needed.
Homer Hendricks, board member, was selected as the OSBA Annual Business Meeting delegate.
Board President Craig McKarns, who has attended previous OSBA Meetings, volunteered to serve as Hendricks’ alternate.
In a bit of house cleaning, so to speak, the board approved the disposal of some obsolete equipment. They also set an agreement with the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center. As needed, the school will be able to use the facility’s service at $64 per day.
The board concluded the meeting by entering into Executive Session in order to discuss discipline and possible termination of an employee. No action was taken.
The board’s next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 16.