By T.J. Hug
The Village Reporter
The North Central Board of Education went about organizing itself for the coming new year, as well as settling a few financial matters, during their December Regular meeting.
Elementary Principal Paul Johnson was first to address the board. He announced that a meeting with parents is currently being organized to discuss some issues they are having with common core mathematics. A professor from Bowling Green State University, who has explained such issues before, has been consulted, and will be in attendance at the meeting to speak with the concerned guardians.
Two employments were met with board approval at the meeting. They hired Joe House to fill an opening within their band program. He was named the band’s new Section Leader. A new substitute custodian was also awarded a contract. Stacy Turner will be filling that role for the district.
During the treasurer’s report, the board approved a measure to allow the him to pay the previous year’s amount of collection on a bond levy from the Permanent Improvement Fund. The bond levy has been in effect sinc 1992. By enacting this legislation, the board also requested that the Williams County Auditor not collect on the levy. Treasurer Eric Smeltzer is expected to pay the amount, totaling $75,000, in October of 2015.
Another policy change motioned by board members will give students transferring out of the district a potential refund on their student fund balances. Any child moving to a new district who happens to have a balance on or over one dollar will see that money given back to them upon their exit from the school.
An organizational meeting was scheduled by the board for Tuesday, January 13, 2015, and will take place at 6:30 P.M. in the Elementary Music Room. At this meeting, they will elect board officers for the new year. These officers will include President, Vice President, and Legislative Liaison. The January Regular board meeting will immediately follow this special session.
In his report to the board, North Central Superintendent Ken Boyer updated those in attendance about the project to build the district’s new high school facility. Finalized schematics for the building are available for viewing in his office. These plans have been submitted to the state, who is covering half the cost. More intimate details on the project, as well as the fate of the old classrooms and equipment, will be decided some time after the first of the year.
The board concluded the meeting by entering into Executive Session to discuss employee discipline. No action was expected.
T.J. Hug can be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com