(PHOTO BY BREANA RELIFORD / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
RECITING THE PLEDGE … Lori Masters’ second grade class leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the recent North Central school board meeting.
By: Breana Reliford
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6:00 pm with the following members present: President Kati Burt, Vice President Tim Livengood, board members Chuck Haynes, John Huffman, and Dustin Meyers, Superintendent Michael Bute, Treasurer Eric Smeltzer, a few faculty members, as well as a few members from the community.
The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Lori Masters’ second-grade class with help from Intervention Specialist Dustin Campbell, organized by Elementary Principal Brent Saneholtz.
After roll call, the board and various other staff members at the school remarked on all the activities going on this fall at North Central.
For Constitution Day, the senior government class took a trip to Defiance College for some activities, the 6th graders memorized the preamble to the Constitution, and the pre-k classes learned vocabulary words related to government, such as “liberty” and “vote”.
Teachers participated in professional development in collaboration with the Williams County EMS to learn and practice safety measures.
The Academic Boosters have also organized a tissue drive for 7-12 teachers at the Pioneer Family Dollar.
Student Council member Mackenzie Frame spoke at the meeting and pointed out the various projects they have been working on, such as helping clean up after football or volleyball games to help out the janitorial staff, planning dances and activities for students, organizing the senior parking spot decorating where seniors can pay $25 to paint and design their own personal parking spot, and fundraising such as the Rise & Roll Bake Sale coming this October.
In the treasurer report, a shoutout was given to Nickloy’s Fix & Fab for their donation to the backpack program of $1,151.40.
The minutes from the August 20, 2024 meeting, permanent appropriations for the fiscal year 25, and financial investments of August 2024 were also approved.
Superintendent Bute issued thanks to several faculty members for their hard work in strengthening learning experiences for staff and students and the offices for their work in making the school function smoothly. He also thanked Nickloy’s Fix & Fab for their continuous support of the backpack program.
Enrollment numbers for the school year and school culture were also discussed. The school is currently focusing on strengthening the core value of “growth,” Bute has stated its importance in empowering the school community.
He also mentioned the two behaviors students have been working on to foster growth: active listening and going outside of their comfort zones. The ultimate outcome is for students to become the best versions of themselves.
No bullying reports were made in August or September, and student-athletes have also met with Athletic Director Babin to discuss the code of conduct as well as what it means to be a student-athlete.
K-6 Principal Saneholtz gave a few updates on the elementary. The third grade has been preparing for their upcoming fall reading assessment, the sixth-grade students are preparing for their field trip to Harrison Lake State Park, and the kindergarten will be visiting T22 Farms near Fayette within the month of October.
Juniors and Seniors have been busy preparing for life outside of high school as well. On August 28, Defiance College met with all seniors in the building and some juniors interested in learning more about the college research process, scholarship and financial aid information, opportunities for athletics, and more.
On September 12, Navy recruiters visited during lunch to talk to students about opportunities involving the Navy. September 16, The University of Toledo met with all seniors in the building to give an overview of the programs they offer, as well as registration information and more. The U.S. Air Force will also be coming in at a later date.
On Monday, September 16, Mr. Shell’s government class attended Defiance College for an early Constitution Day lesson and were treated to lunch and a tour of campus. Students who register will also be attending Defiance College for a practice ACT on Friday, October 18, before taking the official test on February 25, 2025.
Some important upcoming dates for North Central include the following: Manufacturing Day at Northwest State Community College for 9th and 10th graders on October 4, Parkview Launch Day in Bryan for juniors and seniors interested in career exploration and job shadowing on October 9, Interactive Job Fair for juniors and seniors to hear from local employers on October 23, and a College Fair that will be hosted at North Central for juniors and seniors planned for December 11, with other area schools invited to attend as well.
With fall sports season in full swing, Senior Night for the golf, cross country, and volleyball teams is set for October 3. October 4 will be the fall homecoming football game at 7:00 pm, and Senior Night for football, cheerleaders, and the band will be October 18.
All recommendations by the Superintendent were approved. This included establishing education requirements for substitute teachers, changes to Title IX coordinators, and the purchase of an ELA curriculum for the elementary.
The meeting adjourned at 6:43 pm. The next meeting will be October 15 at 6:00 pm.