TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS … Dana and Julie Thompson talk about school transportation for their son. (PHOTO BY LACIE FISH, STAFF)
By: Lacie Fish
The August meeting of the Millcreek-West Unity Board of Education began with Superintendent Jim Wyse talking about athletic passes, admission prices, and attendance going back to how it was “pre-covid” 2019-2020 school year.
Mr. Wyse also spoke about a new system starting in the school this year. The Sandy Hook Promise “Say Something-Anonymous Reporting System”.
The Sandy Hook Promise is a free app mainly focused on grades 6-12 that helps children be free from shootings and acts of violence in their schools. But children in all grades can use it. Mr. Wyse stated, “We want to turn BYstanders to UPstanders.”
In the principal’s report, Mr. Steve Riley and Mrs. Laurie Worline had a big thank you to give to people for the behind-the-scenes work they did to help get ready for the new school year.
Extracurriculars, orientation, open house, and a student/parent meeting on Sept 1st for incoming freshmen were also part of the report.
Twenty-nine children attended summer school this year, and there was 75% attendance 7 of those children had perfect attendance. Also, 18 new students will be joining the school for the 2021-2022 school year.
Dana and Julie Thompson were guests that came in with concerns about their child’s school transportation need to New Horizons Academy in Wauseon, Ohio.
The Thompsons proposed that Chase, their son, be picked up by New Horizons. They want to develop a new solution to his bus schedule so he doesn’t become overwhelmed with the current one.
Mr. Thompson stated, “We feel that the amount of time that he would have to spend on the bus could be very rough for him.”
The Thompsons live on the Fulton County line, and Fayette said they would pick up their son and drop him off if West Unity released some of the transportation funds to them to compensate for picking up Chase.
Because Chase, being diagnosed autistic, they feel that shortening the bus ride will help out immensely. Mr. Wyse stated he would call tomorrow to the State Department of Transportation.
Approved items on the consent agenda:
-Approve the Financial Statements and Board of Education Meeting Minutes from July 2021
-Approve agreement for parent transportation for 2021-2022 school year. $10 a day; IRS mileage rate per mile; Tim Yocklin, transporting Victoria Yocklin.
-Approve Agreement with Wood County Juvenile Detention Center/Juvenile Residential Center of N.W. Ohio for services for the 21-22 school year.
-Approval of Hilltop students to participate in the following club activities for the 21-22 school year: Indoor Track & Field and Archery.
-Approve substitute lists for 21-22 school year.
Approve contracts for: Isaac VanArsdalen- J.H. Golf Coach; Brayden Gorsuch- Football Assistant Coach; Helen Phillips and Diane Wyse- Substitute Teachers
-Approve changes to the open house
-Approve Graduate Study Reimbursements.
-Approve donations: $5,000 from Rose Stough for the Mary L. Thomas Scholarship Fund; School Supplies from United Brethern Church in Alvordton, Ohio.
-Approve bus routes
-Approve the 2021-2022 Williams County Schools COVID Safety Plan.
-Approve an MOU with the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation to establish the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.
-Approve Steven J. Riley Jr. as a volunteer football coach.
A motion was made to approve the MOU with the Village of West Unity for School Resource Officer services for the 21-22 school year. Approximate cost $60,000. The motion was seconded.
The Board will meet next on Sept 20th, 2021.
Lacie can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com