In the midst of planning for an unusual school year during a pandemic, Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education members also were updated at their Monday evening meeting about the success of the high school’s initial run of the AP Capstone Diploma program that began last school year.
Angie Horvath, coordinator of gifted services, related that only 1,800 school districts have been approved to offer the program worldwide. Last year, all 16 students enrolled at Bellefontaine High School received a 100 percent passage rate on their exam.
She highlighted the behind-the-scenes work of instructor Emily Clinehens, who attended a training in Texas prior to the start of the program.
“Due to Emily’s relationship-building with the students and taking the time to reflect on the course work, this provided students with a great support system and helped to lead to their success.”
Students enrolled in the two-year program take AP Seminar and AP Research courses. These classes are designed to complement other AP courses that the AP Capstone student may take.
Horvath also shared AP awards that were presented based upon 2019-20 test scores, including 2020 BHS graduate Ben Sailors, who received the National AP Award by earning an average of 4 or higher on all AP exams throughout his high school career and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.
Sailors and BHS senior Evan Kauffman also received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award for receiving an average of at least a 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams.
Current seniors Levon Howard, Madison Taylor and Hunter Tolson, along with 2020 graduate Lacy Smith, were recognized as AP Scholar with Honors for scoring an average of 3.25 on all AP exams and a 3 or higher on four or more of the exams.
Six individuals were recognized as AP Scholars for receiving a 3 or higher on a least three AP exams — 2020 graduate Taryn Mullins and current seniors Justin Carper, Lily Evans, Connor Rose, Samantha Starkey and Sarah Starkey.
Also during the meeting, Shanel Henry, executive director of instructional services, provided an overview of the $633,000 in federal funding that the district will receive for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, with $48,000 of the funds slated for Calvary Christian School.
Henry said most of the funds are spent on curriculum and technology, including Chromebooks have been ordered for grades six through 12. When the district receives the Chromebooks, the district will have a one-to-one student-to-device ratio for those grade levels.
Some of the funds also went to purchasing individual student kits that complement the math curriculum, along with cleaning supplies and for a consultant to provide professional development training for staff relating to the online curriculum for the upcoming school year.
Members also approved a student trip to Michigan Aug. 22 for a robotics competition, as requested by adviser Sandi Chervenak. She said the outdoor contest incorporates social distancing requirements between teams, and the group will not be staying the night.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement resignation of Apryl Burtchin, superintendent’s secretary, effective Dec. 31. She has served the district for 15 years.
In other action, the board:
• accepted a donation of five cases (20 gallons) of hand-santizing gel and several hundred rubber gloves from Lowe’s Home Improvement;
• extended the following supplemental contracts for substance abuse facilitators to be paid with title 1-D funds to: Krista Belser, Gay Brunswick, Lauren Burkhardt, Carol Fultz and Kristine Mount;
• extended supplemental contracts for extended days of service to: Stacy Calton, Natalie Collins, Aaron Gregor, G. Eric Hamm, Angela Haver, Jeremy Karg, Julie Kurtz, Shalie Logan, Lindsey Maus, Rebecca O’Rielley, Katie Rychener;
• extended high school supplemental contracts to Tricia Baker, freshman class adviser; Stacy Calton, vocal music; Marcia Cooper, senior class adviser; Jere Daniels, production manager; Sarah High, National Honor Society; Stacey Holycross, junior class adviser, sophomore class adviser; April Jameson, FCCLA; Jeremy Karg, instrumental music, jazz band; Melanie Lehman, senior class adviser, junior class adviser, Interact; Chris Miller, yearbook; Laura Mitchell, orchestra; Rick Reed, Key Club; Chris Westhoff, drama club adviser;
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Michaela Baker, Courtney Leach, assistant middle school volleyball; Corey Briggs, assistant high school football; Delmar Fogan, Cameron Mitchell, assistant middle school football; Steve Henry, assistant high school girls soccer; Brady Hiatt, assistant high school girls golf; Galen Miller, assistant high school boys cross country; Andrea Simon, assistant high school cheerleading;
• accepted grant funding from the Logan County Education Foundation totaling $2,498.75 for 2020-21 teacher grants;
• appointed David McBeth as a second shift custodian, effective Sept. 8;
• approved a change in assignment for Jerry Rawlings, from custodian split shift BES to head custodian BIS;
• approved a change in time status for Susan German, high school cook;
• approved a stipend of $1,250 to Sara Core to serve as a resident educator program coordinator;
• approved stipends of $1,400.34 for Bellefontaine Professional Development Committee members: Abby Boop, Emily Clinehens, Clifton Core, Denise Johnson, Lori Horn and Andrea Shumaker;
• approved a stipend of $3,000 for Title I Coordinator Pat Martz;
• approved a stipend of $500 for Mary Beaverson;
• appointed Scott Howell, Midwest Regional Educational Service Center superintendent, as the board’s designee for student disciplinary hearings that reach the board of education level; and
• approved the non-resident tuition rate of $504.06 for grades K-12 for the 2020-21 school year.
The board meets in a special session at 6 p.m. tonight at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center to consider the district’s reopening plan. The next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at the same location.