Plans are in place to bring a football program to North Central Schools. The board heard from Craig Meyers of the Football Committee who described the project in detail, and gave figures and estimates on the cost of the project over the next five years. The committee is made up of Pioneer residents who would like to see a football program brought to North Central Schools, and who are accepting donations to make that project a reality.
Meyers estimates that it will cost between $200,000 to $250,000 to get the program started, and estimates a cost of $150,000 per year average over the next 6 years. The initial cost will come from donations, with some costs in subsequent years coming from gate sales and concessions. Meyers detailed income and expenditures in a handout, but emphasized that some of the expenditures may end up being less if materials and/or labor is donated.
The plan is to begin the program in the 7th and 8th grades for the first two or three years in order for the players to get some experience in league play, and then start a high school program. Meyers wanted to make sure it was known that if for some reason they are not able to get the program off the ground, individual donations of $100 or more will be returned to the donor. If a lesser amount it given, it will go to the Athletic Fund or the Athletic Boosters.
After the meeting was called to order on Monday, November 19, 2012, the board was told of a letter received from Owens Community College about an online business program in which some North Central students are participating. It said that the program is going well, and students are reacting in a positive manner.
Elementary Principal Paul Jones gave his report. The third grade reading achievement test results have been received, and students passed with the highest percentage yet. The school is participating in a Christmas project with local churches and businesses to provide Christmas gifts to 17 families in need. Grandparents Day will be in December and the school will be sending out information soon. Jones praised the directors and students for doing an excellent job on the Veteran’s Day program. There will be a district Spelling Bee held in the high school gym on December 11 at 2:00 for grades 5- 8.
High School Principal Tim Rettig talked about the Master Calendar that had been created for the school. It details athletic events, practices, and other events held in the schools, and is accessible through a Google app so that anyone can read the calendar from their cell phone. Third through sixth grades will be starting the Common Core Curriculum soon, then the high school grades. The OTES (Ohio Teacher Evaluation System) process is in full swing. Exam schedules are posted on the calendar and will be held before Christmas Break this year. Rettig expressed his pride in the 32 high school athletes who also made the Honor Roll this semester. There will be a band concert on December 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the varsity gym for grades 5 – 12, and the Junior High/High School Choir will perform at 1:00 p.m. on December 16 in the auditorium.
Rettig then discussed his plans to provide a laptop to North Central High School students. He has located used electronic notebooks which, after the cost of chargers and adaptors, should cost about $23,000 for 237 students. He said that by providing notebooks for all high school students, this will level the play field for those who are not able to purchase personal laptops. Boyer added that computer proficiency is a part of some testing, even as low as the 4th grade level.
The notebooks will be the start of a pilot program, and he hopes to have it begun by this spring. Eventually, these computers will be handed down to students in the lower grades as newer notebooks are provided to the high schoolers. Rettig said that this is “a solid step in the right direction.” Superintendent Ken Boyer said that more information will be available at the December meeting.
Council approved the consent agenda, which included:
•Minutes from the October 15, 2012 Board of Education meeting.
•Financial statements and investments from October
•Approval of the following van driver: John Waterston
•Retirement: Steve Lundy – H.S. Art Instructor – Effective June 6, 2013.
•Meyers Brothers Trucking – Snow removal for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years. Cost is as follows:
$ 75.00 per hour, snow removal with truck
$125.00 per hour, snow removal with backhoe
$ 50.00 per hour, spread salt
$ .50 cents per pound, provide and spread ice melt salt
•Procedure for writing a compliant IEP
The Treasurer’s Report was approved, and the following appropriation additions were approved:
Funds:
•Other Grant $109.99
•Race to the Top Grant $14,734.00
Total General Fund $14,843.99
An addendum to the Treasurer’s Report was approved, and it read as follows:
“Approve the attached resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor for the 2012-2013 school year.”
This has allowed the board to reduce some of the millage from levies passed in 1992 and 2009, resulting in a savings of 3 mills between the two levies. This means that taxpayers are paying less on their property taxes.
Due to a conflict with a basketball game the night of the originally scheduled meeting for Monday, December 17, the board approved to move the meeting to Tuesday, December 18 at 6:30 in the choir room.
The meeting was adjourned following an executive session to discuss personnel compensation.
