Benjamin Logan Board of Education began 2022 by welcoming a new member during the organizational meeting Monday evening, and also received updates on the district’s new on-site school-based health center that opened last week through a partnership with Community Health & Wellness Partners.
New member Mark Himmeger was sworn in for his term by Treasurer Jennifer Sudhoff at the organizational session.
In addition, returning member Chris Larsen was administered the oath of office for a new term, and he was elected as board president.
Karen Dill was selected as board vice president.
Members set their meetings for the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., except for June, with the meeting planned for June 30.
Relating to the school-based health center, Superintendent John Scheu reported that the clinic opened Jan. 3 and it is staffed by the school nurse, Amanda Siefring, RN, and certified nurse practitioner Paula Strebig, who has served Community Health & Wellness Partners for more than four years.
The wellness clinic is located at the elementary school, and behavioral health services also are available through the program at the middle school. All of these services are accessible to district students and staff, Scheu previously said.
Strebig attended the meeting, and reported that in its first week, the clinic served four students.
“We’re very excited to be up and running,” she said. “We’ve been able to help keep students from missing time in class and parents from having to take time off work.”
Students may visit the school-based health center for all issues normally managed by the school nurse. Additionally, they can receive primary care services, such as regular check-ups, prescriptions, and appointments to address injuries or the onset of other health issues.
The health center is not a replacement for anyone’s primary health care provider, but instead provides a convenient way for students and faculty to remain in school while receiving the care they need, representatives said.
It is the second school-based center offered by Community Health & Wellness Partners in the area, following their opening of a site at West Liberty-Salem Schools last school year.
A ribbon cutting event for the Benjamin Logan school-based wellness center is planned for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, with local public officials to assist with the celebration, Scheu said.
Also during the meeting, the board was honored for National School Board Recognition Month with gifts made by students, including cards created by middle school writing club members, sun catchers made by middle school art club members, cookies from high school FCCLA members, along with gifts from elementary pupils as well.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the retirement resignation of Penny Ramsey, elementary secretary, effective Aug. 1;
• accepted the resignation of Michael Hughes, custodian, effective Jan. 4;
• extended a one-year limited certified contract to Laura Mobley, elementary Title I teacher, effective Jan. 3
• extended one-year limited classified contracts to Zach Newcomb, educational aide, effective Jan. 18; and Larry Parmer, maintenance, effective Jan. 17;
• salary schedule advancement: bachelor’s plus 150 — Cadan Goldstein and Ashley Solano;
• approved the following overnight trips for students and advisers: Business Professionals of America State Contest in Columbus, March 10, 11; and Business Professionals of America National Contest in Dallas, Texas, May 4-8;
• approved the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school year calendars
• approved a board service fund in the amount of $5,000;
• set board member pay at $125 per meeting, for a maximum of 24 meetings a year;
• approved a number of standing authorizations for the treasurer and superintendent;
• approved motions to retain the legal counsel of Scott Scriven LLP of Columbus, and John Podgurski; and
• designated the Bellefontaine Examiner as the district’s official newspaper.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21.