District receives Breakfast Challenge Award
Benjamin Logan Superintendent John Scheu reflected on the 2020-21 school year as it draws to a close at the board of education’s recent meeting, remarking that students and staff have pulled together to have a successful year despite the pandemic challenges.
“We believe face-to-face instruction is the best instructional delivery method possible and feel we did the right thing by not forcing parents to have to choose between going to work or sending their kids to school,” he said of hosting in-person classes all school year.
The superintendent also has lifted the mask requirements for the final two weeks of school. Ben Logan students’ last day for this school year is Wednesday, May 26.
“Wearing face masks will be optional and we all need to be respectful of every person’s personal decision on wearing a mask. I based my decision on several factors,” he said.
“Governor DeWine’s decision to lift the COVID-19 restrictions effective June 2 is only two weeks away from May 17, our Ben Logan numbers for COVID-19 for either quarantine or isolation have been hovering around zero for the past month. Finally, the area’s COVID-19 numbers have continued to go downward for the past several weeks.”
Members also were informed that the district has been recognized by the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge partners for the April 2021 Breakfast & Beyond “Super Star” distinction. The award from the Ohio School Breakfast Challenge honors the district for excellence, innovative and collaborative work to increase access to school meals during the pandemic.
“This is such a significant statewide recognition for what our cafeteria staff has accomplished,” the superintendent said. “A sincere congratulations to Sonja Frederick, food services director, and all the cooks who have collectively taken our cafeteria operation and healthy choices for students to a much higher level.”
The setup at Benjamin Logan was designed to ensure easy access, quick service and social distancing during the pandemic with breakfast offered at no cost.
Breakfast participation at the elementary increased from 3,343 meals served in October 2020 to 7,809 breakfast meals served in March 2021. At the middle school, breakfast participation increased from 1,625 meals served in October 2020 to 5,502 meals served in March 2021.
Members also extended a three-year administrative contract to new activities director Kevin Butler, effective Aug. 1. He replaces former activities director Scott Reule.
The board also recognized four students who earned “superior” ratings at the recent District Science Day and are eligible to compete in the 2021 Virtual State Science Day.
Those students and their projects are: Luke Adams, grade 10, “Study of Impact Nanosilver has on Daphnia Magna.”; Preston Bothel and Lucas McKenrick, both grade 10, “Air Purifiers vs. the Spread of Bacteria”; Winifred “Winnie” Bodin, grade 7, “Biological and Chemical Assessment of Various Locations on the Mad River over Three Years.”; Charlotte “Lottie” Bodin, grade 5, “The Effect of Silver Ions on Bacterial Growth.”
In buildings and grounds matters, the board approved the resolution to advertise for bids to install new asphalt in areas surrounding the football stadium, with the total cost of the project estimated to exceed $100,000.
In financial matters, the board approved the district’s five-year forecast and a reduction-in-force for the position of Emily Pool, school social worker, effective July 31, due to financial reasons.
The board also recognized BLHS seniors of the month for the second half of the school year — January: Trey Allen and Alicia Jenkins; February: Maxwell Leezer and Alexis Achor; March: Joshua Phillips and Erica Warne; April: Gavin Gibson and Kamryn Stanfield; May: Andrew Thatcher and Elanie McWade.
In other action, the board approved, accepted, authorized or extended:
• the retirement resignation of Nancy McGuire, elementary teacher, effective June 1;
• the resignations of Mary Nehls, intervention specialist, effective July 31; Diane Nolan, educational aide, effective May 31; and Stephanie Isbestor-Martin, effective July 31;
• one-year contracts for the following new hires, effective Aug. 1: Michael Dove, middle school/high school vocal music; Nichole Nelsen, high school family consumer science; Amy Evans, Kara Gillman, middle school intervention specialists;
• one-year classified contract to new hire Thomas Gonzales, maintenance, effective May 10.
• one-year contracts for the following retire/rehire personnel: Marge Jenkins, Bruce Smith and Lori Young
• the following certified staff contracts:continuing — Randi Braddock, Katie Lacher; three-year — Lindsey Balla, Myles Bowers, Taylor Dear, Kelly Gibson, Cadan Goldstein, Barbara Kuck, Tabetha Lewis, Raechel Noble, Joel Phillips, Allison Reule, Todd Shadley, Laura Stanley, Brooke Tuttle, Lori Wilson, Amanda Wood; two-year — Morganne Ackley, Kayla Doseck, Jodie Kavanagh, Christa Knight, Shannon Peterson, Abbey Shields, Ashley Solano, Emily Wilson, David Wood; and one-year — Jaclyn Atherton, Carli Henman;
• the following classified personnel contracts: two-year — Angie Birt, Charles Buffkin, Randi Buffkin, Susan Cochran, Rhonda Cook, Katherine Dudgeon, Thomas Gonzales, Kary Henry, Kyle Huffman, David Hunt, Amanda Iiams, Jennifer McKenrick, Carolyn Jo Miller, Tiffany Morrow, Rebecca Peterson, Ashlee Phillips, Mary Wallen, Blaine Walter, Jamie Whited; one-year — Penny Baker;
• a classification change for Stephanie Snyder to be paid at CLS III, executive secretary;
• two-year contracts for the following re-assignments: Jaycee Murray, full-time mechanic, and DiAnna Zeigler, library aide
• the following transfers/reassignments to David Hunt, from maintenance to middle school head custodian; Gennifer Algire, high school library science to elementary school library science; Marice Furlong to seventh-grade math; and Brooke Rodriguez to seventh-grade English lanuage arts;
• 2021-22 membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association;
• the first amendment to Athletic Training Services Agreement;
• accepted the following donations: Honda’s donation of safety glasses and cinch bags for 160 students for High School Robotics Club; and an anonymous donation of $1,191.28 to clear all negative student meal balances for the 2020-21 school year.
Members also changed the date for their next meeting to Monday, June 28, which begins at 6 p.m. at the central office. The board will conduct a public hearing on the re-employment of John Stahl during the session.