FROSH … Freshman Hailey Frosh spoke to the Swanton Board of Education regarding her, and other students, desire for Mr. Schneider to remain the band director. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
The Swanton Board of Education held their meeting on Wednesday, February 8th. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, before the board moved to hear matters brought to them by the public.
It was at this time that the board heard from Freshman Hailey Frosh who came to speak to them regarding the band director.
Frosh stated that she, and many other students in the school, would like the current band director who was filling in, Mr. Schneider, to remain in his position.
She also explained why her, and other students feel this way stating that he helps them all daily.
She also gave notes from other students who were not able to attend that night. In closing, she asked the board to take the students opinions into account when making their decision for a new band director.
Following the hearing of the public, the board moved to adopt the current agenda before moving to hear a report from the treasurer, with each of the following items from the report being approved.
The minutes from the January 11th organizational meeting and regular meeting. A list of financial reports and investments for the month ending January 31st, plus a list of donations made to the school.
Also approved from the report were appropriation modifications, estimated resource changes and a then and now certificate.
New business items, as part of the treasurer’s report, were then heard and approved as well.
This included the Swanton Public Library 2023 Appropriations for 2023. A tax rate resolution was then discussed by the board.
It was shown, through the use of a presentation, that the Swanton School District receives around $4,657.18 per student from the State of Ohio.
At the current moment, it costs $14,733 per student to educate them each year. The rest of the monetary difference comes from local funding.
Discussion then shifted to a mileage that is set to expire and will reduce the amount of money the school will be receiving. It was decided, the discussion would be tabled for a later date.
Reports and recommendations from the superintendent came next. As part of the report, Superintendent Chris Lake had Curriculum Director Laura Gerken come and give a presentation regarding dyslexia screening and support for students.
This unfunded mandate will require schools to administer a universal dyslexia screening for kids in grades K-3.
Parents and/or teachers can submit a request to have children in grades 4-6 screened if needed. Incoming students to the district will also need to be screened.
Following the first year of these screenings, the only students that will receive a screening will be those starting in kindergarten.
Teachers will also receive more training for this but are not able to diagnose dyslexia, rather they will only note dyslexia tendencies.
Following this presentation, the following items were approved by the board as part of the Superintendents recommendations.
The early graduation of Blake Foster, the term renewal for Roger Truckor as a Public Library Trustee for a period of seven years, an agreement for OHSAA membership for 2023-2024 and an OSC Governance Policy Change Resolution.
Also approved was a service agreement with Sara’s Garden New Horizons Academy and personnel recommendations.
Moving on to building reports, it was stated kindergarten registration was currently up to 61 for next year and that the number is higher than average.
Board Member Steve Brehmer then made positive remarks regarding the Distinguished Alumni ceremony at Swanton he had attended.
Following those remarks, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com