(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BACKPACK … Elementary Principal Brent Saneholtz delivers his administrative report to school board members. During his time, he delivered updates regarding the NC Backpack Program.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 18th. The meeting began at 6:01 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, before board members moved on to hear and approve items as part of the Treasurer’s report.
These items included the waiving of the reading and approval of minutes from the January 13th Organizational meeting, and regular meeting held on January 29th.
Also included was a list of donations made, financial statements and investments from January 2025, and a list of appropriations.
Board members also approved a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission, and for the authorization of the necessary tax levies for certification to the county auditor.
The superintendents report then followed, with thanks and appreciation being given. Thank you and appreciation to Williams County Trustees Association and the Eagle Football Boosters for their generous donations.
“Thank you to the Eagle Café Staff along with the custodians, teacher aides, bus drivers, admin assistants, SRO’s, school nurse, administration and all certified staff,” said Superintendent Bute.
Bute then discussed the school’s culture/playbook and calamity days. It was stated that after 6 days a make-up day would need to be held, and that the school recently experienced its 7th day. Discussions will be held in order to formulate a plan for this.
Enrollment numbers were then given, with numbers being stated as follows. Elementary including preschool – 306, junior high 71, high school including Four County students – 145. With three students participating in NOVA, this comes out to be a total of 525.
It was also stated that open enrollment numbers into the North Central District sits at 52, and open enrollment out of the district is 96. Home education numbers sit at 48.
Next, Bute informed the board that option #2 was chosen for the next school year calendar. Option #1 received 32% of the vote, option #2 received 52% of the votes, and option #3 received 16% of the vote.
Lastly, Bute discussed the 1st reading of NEOLA Policy & Bylaw Updates/Revisions for Volume 43 – Number 2.
It was then stated that the next work session is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 5:00 p.m. in the Eagle Room, and that the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditeria.
Administrative reports then followed, with Elementary Principal Brent Saneholtz delivering his first. During this report he discussed the NC Backpack program “At the end of January, the NC backpack program has provided 319 bags of food on Fridays this school year.”
“This program reaches 50 preschools through high school students from 40 families with an average of 22 bags of food discretely delivered through backpacks and lockers each Friday,” said Saneholtz.
He further explained that families opt into this program when they fill out forms through PowerSchool.
Needs assessments are then used to determine which siblings receive bags of food, the frequency, the need for personal hygiene products, and school supplies.
It was also stated that the program is confidential and respects the privacy of the recipients, with only necessary school staff members knowing who receives the supplies.
During the rest of the items brought forward during the administrative reports, including the two delivered by Student Service Coordinator Aubrie Ridinger, in place of both Mrs. Martha Hasselbusch and Mr. Michael Babin, one similarity was present.
It was stated that there were no recorded cases of bullying during the first semester of school for the elementary and middle schools, and that disciplinary referrals had also gone down.
Following these reports, the board moved to approve the following items.
-The North Central Local School 2025-2026 Calendar.
-Ohio High School Athletic Association Membership for the 2025-2026 school year.
-Revision of NEOLA Policies: po5316.01, po5136.01R, po6460, po6460R.
– A resolution for operating standards for the education of children with disabilities.
-A request for an unpaid leave of absence by Mrs. Casey Wilcox for the remainder or the 2024-2025 school year.
Lastly, board members moved to approve Sarah Ameling (pending records) for work in the Eagle Café for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, along with approval for Keean Livensparger to serve as a volunteer junior high boys basketball coach.
With no other items to attend to, the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m.