Sustained increases in participation from Indian Lake student athletes in the school’s swimming program, that district officials are adding a supplemental coaching position to accommodate the growth in numbers.
School board members Monday in a regular meeting approved a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Lake Education Association to hire an assistant high school swim coach for this school year, as well as next year.
The position will remain as long as student participation numbers remain high, according to discussion during the meeting. There are 31 students participating in high school swimming this year, Superintendent Rob Underwood said.
The school board took action on a number of other supplemental positions during the meeting, including accepting the resignation of Reyse Wallbrown, assistant high school wrestling, due to an ongoing scheduling conflict.
Bill Fulton was approved to fill that assistant high school wrestling coach position.
Supplemental positions filled Monday also included a number of volunteer posts for the indoor track team. Justin Metzger, Amy Richardson, Don Thompson, Nick Richardson, Joe Teague, Kristen Soos and Chuck Ellerbrock, each were approved as volunteer indoor track coaches.
Chad Lones was accepted as the head softball coach.
Underwood also provided an update to the appeal of a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former superintendent Pat O’Donnell. A Logan County, and now an appellate court have each sided with the school district in its decision to fire the former administrator in the aftermath of legal charges filed against him.
O’Donnell’s only recourse now would be an extreme-longshot appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, school board members said Monday.
An out-of-state field trip for the cross country team was approved for a summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia, July 18-23. The team is raising all the funds to pay for costs associated with the field trip.
Underwood indicated during the meeting he also wants to modernize and update some of the board policies surrounding out-of-state student field trips. Many of the existing policies are antiquated, and no longer used by many school districts, he said.
A $50 donation was accepted from the Logan County Ohio Horseman’s Council to the Indian Lake food service department for student lunches.
Treasurer Coleen Reprogle projected for the board a five-year financial forecast outlook that showed generally flat funding and expenditures, especially in the near-term.
She pointed out that costs associated with personnel, including salaries, benefits and retirement contributions, as well as purchased services are large drivers of the district’s expenses.
Reducing the staffing levels are the best ways to control those expenditures, she said.
Underwood noted the district consistently monitors its staffing levels, and teacher-to-student ratios to ensure appropriate staff levels.
Additional action taken by the board Monday included approval of Morgan Kaser for placement as educational assistant paraprofessional because she has completed necessary license requirements.
The next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16.