SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT RENEWAL … The contract renewing Mr. Bute’s service as superintendent was renewed after the board shared how successful his hard work has been at strengthening the district’s overall culture.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met on February 20, 2024 at 6 p.m. with members Chuck Haynes, Tim Livengood, Kati Burt, John Huffman, and Dustin Meyers present alongside Superintendent Michael Bute and Treasurer Eric Smeltzer.
Smeltzer’s report was accepted as presented, including the minutes from the January 8 organizational and regular meetings.
A donation of $360 was accepted from Nickloy’s Fix and Fab for the Backpack Program, the financial statements and investments for January were accepted as presented, as were additional appropriations.
Burt then brought up the hard work Superintendent Bute has been doing to improve the culture within the district as superintendent, sharing how the board is fully behind continuing the employment contract they have had with Mr. Bute.
Bute then began his report, sharing his thanks for all of the district’s staff for making North Central a great place to lead, especially as they work together to strengthen the local culture.
Calamity days were discussed, and the district was informed that they are currently at the limit of allowed calamity days before they must be made up at the end of the year.
Also attached were the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group recommendations, which detailed new training requirements for bus drivers.
Principal Morr shared that the elementary school has enjoyed a recent Basketball Jones presentation, and the 5th and 6th grade dance was a hit amongst the kids for yet another year.
Morr shared that the new phonics curriculum has been implemented well by school staff, and the data has shown improvements as well.
The ODNR came in and presented to the 6th grade, and the students got to learn a lot about the habitats found in their home state.
My Plate also came in to present why exercise and healthy eating habits are important, and the 100th day of school was celebrated between the elementary students.
Twenty-five kids have signed up for kindergarten screening so far, and the elementary staff has been doing well embracing the E3 program implemented by Superintendent Bute.
Principal Puthoff shared that next year will see two foreign exchange students from Italy and Germany, and shared that the two foreign exchange students welcomed this last year have been a pleasure to have, with plans to increase the number of exchange students to three.
Students have been preparing for the progression onto the next grade, and last weekend saw the high school dance enjoyed by the students, with thanks given to the staff involved with putting it together.
State testing has been being prepared for with the teachers doing more and more curricular testing to better prepare North Central students for rigorous state standards.
Mr. Babin, absent, submitted a report which stated that winter sports are coming to a close and spring sports are beginning, with Winter Sports Awards happening on March 6th at 5:30 p.m.
The calendar for the 2024-2025 year was then approved as presented, as was the OHSAA membership for 2024-2025, the replacement of the high school and elementary athletic floors, and the winning bid for the project -which was given to Heritage Floors.
The consent agenda was then approved as presented, which included employment recommendations, resignations, and the Class of 2024’s overnight trip to Columbus on April 13-15 of 2024.
The board then adjourned at 6:33 p.m., with community members reminded that there will be a work session an hour before the next board meeting on March 12, 2024, at 6 p.m.