Bellefontaine Board of Education members learned more about the district’s ongoing technology upgrades during their monthly meeting Monday night, Dec. 19.
District Technology Coordinator Marc Stakey gave an overview of how Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds will be used for several projects over the next few months.
BCS will replace all 1-gigabyte edged switches with 10-gigabyte capable uplinks, at a cost of $200,774.
The district will also upgrade wireless access points to handle the high density traffic in classrooms. Chromebooks have increased traffic the last two school years. This portion of the project will cost $163,960.
ESSER funds will help pay for both projects. The work is tentatively scheduled for next spring.
“With the latest round of funds being made available, we will be finishing much needed upgrades to our network infrastructure,” Stakey said. “Due to more reliance and availability of online classroom tools, our network continues to require updates to accommodate these needs. Our network controls everything from classroom technology to security and telephones to computer hardware and HVAC systems.
“We are continually approached about possibilities of adding features and curriculum-driven technology that we absolutely want to be able to support. These upgrades also help to remove limitations on the use of technology in classrooms.”
In other action, the board approved the annual Washington, D.C., trip. Eighth-graders will visit the nation’s capital May 22-25, 2023. Their itinerary includes stops at The White House, nearby monuments, and Gettysburg, Pa.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of longtime high school French teacher Shannon Hodge. She will retire Feb. 28 after serving BCS for nearly 28 years and has been in education for 34 years.
In other action, the board:
• approved Diann Jordan as a home instruction tutor;
• hired Lyric Kindle as an educational aide; and John Vicario as a food service worker;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Brian Rohrig, high school quiz bowl adviser;
• extended Maverick Aldo, Jere Daniels, Keri Fergus, Robin Henry, Brian Hogan, Jeremy Karg, musical production assistants; Katie Buffkin, high school softball; Jason Calton, high school boys tennis;
Ben Davis, high school boys and girls track; Sean Egler, Jim Robinson, Cody Sigrist, Stacey Wilson, Larry Young, assistant high school track; Drew Jackson, assistant boys basketball; Hunter Pool, assistant boys wrestling; and Doug Walters, JV softball;
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Rick Gildow, Chris Stricker, Michelle Zedeker, high school softball; Meredith Richters, high school swim;
• approved Blake Lantz and Meredith Richters as athletic workers;
• accepted the donation of $2,000 from Pam Taylor in memory of Kristen Siler Vennekotter; and
• recognized December Seniors of the Month Julia Nelson and Alex Caudill.
The board appointed Colin Yoder as president pro-tempore for the organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center, followed by the regular monthly meeting.
Yoder will succeed Brenda Sanford as the board president. Sanford led the board for the last two years.