Reames honored at her last board meeting
Bellefontaine City Schools is continuing to survey district parents regarding whether they would like their children to be schooled in-person in the traditional classroom setting or in a remote learning option at home for the 2020-21 school year.
Superintendent Brad Hall reported at the Monday evening board of education meeting that the district thus far has received about 52 percent of parents and guardians responding to the online survey, and of those respondents, approximately 14 percent have indicated that they want to pursue the remote learning route.
He encouraged individuals who have not yet participated in the survey to log in to their Final Forms account from the district’s website, www.bellefontaine.k12.oh.us, or through a link available on the BCS Facebook page. The survey results will assist the district in planning for the upcoming year and accommodating social distancing protocol.
Hall said specific BCS teachers will be assigned to work with the remote learning students. The coursework will be more rigorous than it was during the online learning in the springtime, where teachers essentially reviewed previous coursework, the superintendent related.
“The new remote learning will be based upon state standards and it is intended to mimic the rigor of the classroom instruction. It will now be more engaging with teacher-made videos, live Zoom lessons and more interactive with the teachers.”
School computers can be loaned if needed, but Internet access will not be provided by the district at this time.
Also during the meeting, the board honored 31-year member Anne Reames during her last session. She announced her resignation, effective today, at the June board meeting. She is moving out the district to Delaware, Ohio, to be closer to family and for retirement activities.
Reames began serving on the board in January 1990 and she also has served on the Ohio Hi-Point Board of Education for 16 years, recently serving as that board’s president.
Hall presented Reames with an apple plaque as a token of the district’s appreciation for her many years of dedicated service.
“She has been with us through the highs and lows of school finances and has watched the district grow through building projects and other growth in the community,” he said. “She is extremely passionate about our students, both those in the traditional pathway and those on the career-tech path.
“She is a kind, caring, straight-shooting board member, and she asks the tough questions when it is for the benefit of the kids.”
During an executive session, members reviewed applications from candidates to fill Reames’ spot on the board. The board plans to swear in its new member during a special session on the same evening as the next regular board meeting, slated for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.
Also during the executive session, members reviewed Hall’s annual evaluation. Prior to the session, members said considering the unprecedented financial circumstances in the state and country, the board did not anticipate issuing a raise to the superintendent. His current contract continues through July 31, 2022, and his salary last year was set at $124,902.
The board also said in a prepared statement that much of Hall’s evaluation looked at the past five months during the COVID-19 crisis and the superintendent’s communication during that time.
“Everyone recognizes the need to provide the district with the best available information in a timely manner, and Brad, through technology social media, one-call messaging, etc. has been doing a good job keeping students and parents updated on what is happening in the school district.”
Members identified some opportunities for improved communication between the superintendent and administrations and board members.
“It is vital that because things appear to be changing almost daily, that Mr. Hall is present to lead effectively and to communicate with staff and parents regularly. The board will continue to support Mr. Hall in developing strong leadership skills and collaboration techniques with the administration and board members to guide our school district through this challenging time.”
In other action, the board:
• approved a flat student fee of $30 for the 2020-21 school year, and that all student fees above $30 be paid from the general fund;
• accepted the resignations of Evan Lewellen and Camryn Potter, both high school Spanish, effective June 16 and 12, respectively, and Sarah Morrison, speech language pathologist, effective June 8; and Tina O’Brien, high school cook, effective July 15;
• appointed Laura Skidmore as a high school Spanish teacher for 2020-21;
• authorized the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council to advertise and receive bids on the board’s behalf for one or more school buses, with Hall noting that the district has recently received state funds totaling $54,000 to offset the purchase of a new school bus;
• approved an hourly wage increase for the substitute bus driver pay, from $13 per hour to $16.75 per hour, after examining other area districts’ rates;
• approved an advancement of $500,000 from the general fund to the insurance fund for cash flow purposes; pending the available cash reserves in said insurance fund, it is the intent of the board to repay the advance within five years;
• approved an extra duty stipend of $5,000 for Shawn Miller, technologist;
• approved changes in time status for Natalie Collins, BMS guidance, from 50 percent to 100 percent; and Desnee Wolters, BIS gifted, from 75 percent to 100 percent;
• extended middle school supplemental contracts to: Nathan Arbogast, head seventh-grade football; Jordan Baughman, seventh-grade assistant football; Krista Belser, yearbook adviser; Stacy Calton, vocal music director; Jon Hayduk, seventh-grade volleyball; Gregg Johnson, athletic director; Jordan Kesler, boys, girls cross country; Skylar Mifsud, head eighth-grade football; Mike Mosbarger, assistant eighth-grade football; Darcy Neeld, show choir; Tara Phelps, eighth-grade volleyball; Jordan Reser, intramurals; Heather Storm, football cheerleading; Meagan Young, instrumental music;
• extended high school supplemental contracts to: Matthew Dawson, band percussion adviser; Stacey Holycross, assistant volleyball (freshman); Heather Johnson, assistant instrumental music; and
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Paul Kite, assistant middle school golf; Richard McDaniel, assistant high school football; and Stacey Wilson, assistant middle school cross country.