APPRECIATION North Central Board of Education President Kati Burt shared how she wanted to take a moment to show appreciation for all of the staff for the many wonderful things going on every day for those at North Central
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met on May 21st, 2024 around 6 p.m. Present were board President Kati Burt, Vice President Tim Livengood, members Chuck Haynes, John Huffman, and Dustin Meyers, alongside Superintendent Michael Bute, and Treasurer Eric Smeltzer.
After roll call, the amended agenda was accepted as presented before Kati Burt and Dustin Meyers voiced how great Abbie Apple did with the science fair, as well as how well the most recent concerts and 3rd grade wax museum did.
Burt shared that she knows that there is a lot going on at the schools every day, and that she just wanted to take a moment to make note of how well the district is doing.
Apple thanked the board for participating as science fair judges, and then Huffman shared how well this year’s musical went.
Livengood gave an “overwhelming thank you to everybody” for their hands in making “continuous improvements” to the district through “hard work and diligence” as time goes on.
Smeltzer then began the treasurer’s report, which included the minutes from the board’s April 16th meeting, April’s financial investments, the five-year financial forecast, and donations from the following: Nickloy’s Fix and Fab for the backpack program and Jim and Sandy Rupp for the new gym floor.
Appropriations were approved as presented, and a five-minute financial meeting was planned to approve final appropriations for the end of June.
Smeltzer then began the five-year financial forecast, which is required to be submitted twice annually. He shared that hopefully the district can “continue to make improvement, saving” funds where possible before the report was accepted as presented.
Superintendent Bute then began his report, starting off with a thank you to Sandy and Jim Rupp for their donation of the gym floor, Nickloy’s Fix and Fab for their continued support, and all of the staff -with Bute adding that he “truly appreciates” all that they do for the district, community, and kids.
This month’s Focus 3 focus was on adapting to change and having actions be conscious choices instead of being made in-the-moment.
Enrollment numbers were discussed, and the Business Advisory Council meeting minutes were presented to the board for their review.
Baccalaureate is set for 8 p.m. in the auditeria on May 22nd, and graduation was set for 2 p.m. The principal position candidate that was being looked at has rescinded their offer, and the position is open once again.
The NEOLA policy revisions were given their second reading, and it was announced the board would meet next June 18th at 6 p.m. in the auditeria.
Andy Morr shared that the elementary students have updates to their handbooks that hold information that is useful to parents, family members, and school staff.
Thanks was given to all the staff who took time to organize the new informational documents. State testing is finished, and math scores and ELA scores have started to come in already, with it being shared that previously, results would not be seen until the beginning of the next school year.
The data will help evaluate students’ educational growth throughout the year. Thanks was again given to Abbie Apple for her work on the science fair, with it being shared that both they and 3rd graders with the wax museum did a great job.
Field trip season is upon North Central, with students making memories together throughout the next couple of weeks as school finishes up.
Photos with the seniors will be taken on the 24th and will be uploaded to the school website. Staff Appreciation Week saw a board sponsored staff lunch, with thanks going out for the event.
The spring concert has gone great, and this year has done great with assemblies in support of our veterans.
Gregory Puthoff then congratulated the two Four County National Technical Honor Society inductees. He then continued his report, sharing how well prom, after prom, and FFA activities have been going.
Puthoff shared how well the senior scholarship banquet went the night before, and the spring sports banquet was announced to be later that same night.
May 30th, the last day of school, will see an early dismissal, as well as the junior high award day.
Michael Babin presented the board with statistics that show an almost 16% increase in social media reach and almost 15% increase in visits to the Facebook pages, with decreases in participation via Instagram noted.
The second annual athletics survey has been put out, in order to get ratable responses on sports events. Social media helps to pursue mutually beneficial relationships between the district and the community, as well as create opportunities for district students. The pages are also hoped to save the district money through partnerships.
Saneholtz shared that preparation for the 2025 school year has begun, including organizing gifted curriculum and curriculum support. The year has yet to finish, with June 11th seeing a vendor fair for ELA curricular products and July 31st and August 1st seeing school safety summit in Columbus.
All of the Superintendent’s recommendations were approved as presented, which covered the second reading of the NEOLA policy updates.
The consent agenda was approved as presented, which included resignations for Scott Thompson, head varsity football coach, and Andy Morr, elementary principal.
The board then went into executive session at 6:42 p.m., set to meet next the night of June 18th.
