The North Central Board of Education, Superintendent Ken Boyer, and staff members thanked the community for their support, and congratulated the Building Levy Committee for their hard work getting information out to the voters in the district and accomplishing a goal of winning the building levy. Because of the passage of the building levy, work can now proceed toward constructing a new high school.
Pioneer Chief of Police Tim Livengood was present to report on safety and security for the schools. First of all, he congratulated the board on the passage of the school building levy. He then told the board that he is ready and willing to sit in on any discussions addressing school safety. For example, classroom numbers could be posted on exterior windows to indicate specific classrooms from the outside of the building if there was ever a need to know. He also asked the school to investigate the possibility of making sure that at least one window in each classroom could be used as an exit window in case of an emergency. Superintendent Ken Boyer said that the navigation system will be up by this fall providing pictures of every room. This will come up on the police scanner as a detailed schematic of a room if there should ever be an emergency situation. Livengood would also like to see work toward ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training starting at a staff level. He indicated that he and the police department have a good relationship with the school.
Board member Jim Fee said that the school had a good awards banquet the night before during which North Central High School seniors received over $448,000 in scholarships and awards.
Elementary Principal Paul Jones was unable to attend the meeting, but had prepared a report. He said that testing is going on in the classrooms prior to the end of the school year. There may be a change in classrooms as the third grade class is large, and changes will need to be made to accommodate them, including moving around some personnel. There are presently 31 students who are registered for pre-K and kindergarten. He also reported that co-teaching, which had been implemented this year, has been very successful. Boyer mentioned that although the district had 18 days of weather related cancellations, the school had done a great job of catching up and that despite this, testing was going very well.
Junior High/High School Principal Tim Rettig said that preliminary testing results from the OGT tests in the Sophomore class were very good, and he is excited about the results. They are waiting to receive OAA results. He also congratulated the athletic teams including the baseball, softball and track teams for their accomplishments. Looking toward the 2014-2015 school year, Rettig noted that the New Staff day would be held August 14, and Teacher days were set for August 18-19.
The consent agenda was passed with approval of the following:
1. The minutes from the April meeting.
2. Financial statements and investments from April.
3. Employments:
Catherine Savage –Math Instructor (7-12) – 1 year contract
Bonnie Good –CBI Family and Consumer Science Instructor – Full-time Contract
Summer Adult Custodians: Matt Frey and Corey Kreinbrink
Summer Workers – on an as-needed basis: ($7.95 per hour): Dylan Hutchison and Abigayle Litzenberg
One Year Supplemental contracts held by certified employees:
Mary Boots – Entry Year Mentor
Joe House – Entry Year Mentor
Tim Rettig – Entry Year Mentor
Supplemental Contracts for 2014-2015 for 30 employees for 49 positions.
Supplemental Contracts held by classified employees for 13 employees for 15 positions.
4. Accepted the resignations of:
Sharon Hess – High School Science Instructor, effective June 5, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.
Kristy Meyers – Varsity Volleyball Coach
5. S.W.A.T. (Students Working to Advance Technology) Educational Trip.
6. Membership in Ohio High School Athletic Association for Grades 7-12 for 2014-2015.
7. The list of graduating seniors for 2014 upon completion of the requirements of the North Central Local Board of Education and the State of Ohio.
The board approved appropriation additions as follows for the Treasurer’s Report:
Title II-A – $13,649.47
P.I. – 1, 585.92
S.O.A.R. – 420.88
Rotary – 267.61
Student Managed Activity – 8,985.76
Data Communications Fund – 1,800.00
Total Other Funds – $26,709.64
Also approved was severance pay per the Master Negotiation Agreement for Sharon Hess and Cheryl Moore.
The board authorized the annual premium for liability, violence, auto and property insurance with the Ohio School Plan for 7-1-2014 through 7-1-2015 at a cost of $22,347.00.
For the Superintendent’s report, Ken Boyer asked the board to approve the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission Resolution to participate in the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program, Segment One. This bill will be taken to the Controlling Board in August. This is the first step in getting the money for the state’s share of $4,308,000.00 for the new high school building construction project.
Boyer gave an update on the school van which had been stolen during a BBC event in Michigan. It has been recovered with only minimal damage, which has been repaired. The van is back in service. Boyer encouraged any members of the district who had concerns about this incident to call and speak with him directly.
Professional Development for the 2014-2015 school year will continue with the BGSU consultants. The co-teaching and problem based learning projects were very successful this year, and the district has been written about in two professional journals detailing the district’s accomplishments. Boyer was “very impressed” with the school’s achievements in these programs and with the articles written.
The Race to the Top grants 4-year grants have been expended. As there are no further funds available, the project will discontinue.
The graduation ceremony for the North Central Class of 2014 will be held on June 1 at 2 p.m. in the gym.
