When students return to school Sept. 7 at Benjamin Logan for the 2021-22 school year, they will have the option to wear a mask in the classroom rather than a requirement.
Superintendent John Scheu said during the Monday evening board of education meeting that unless there is a mandate from the state, it is not the district’s intention to require masks in the classroom. With just over 70-perecent of the faculty vaccinated, he feels requiring masks at this point is not the way to go.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics has come out with a recommendation that school children two-years and older wear a mask, even if they are vaccinated,” said Schue.
“This is different than what the CDC guidelines have been. … I’m not sure where the school year will end, but based on the information at hand, it is not our intention to require masks to be worn in school unless there is a mandate forcing us to do that.”
The opening plans for 2021 at Benjamin Logan Schools include: in-person/face-to-face instruction, optional face masks, newly installed filtration units, a distance of 3 feet, when possible, will be maintained between students within classrooms and handwashing and sanitization will be emphasized throughout the buildings.
“I feel that even in the county, the numbers are way down,” Scheu said. “I feel it is each person’s choice if they want to (wear a mask) or not. … Face masks will not be required, but optional. If parents want their child to wear one, it won’t be an issue.”
Scheu also discussed Critical Race Theory in the classroom and stated there are no plans for the Benjamin Logan School District to pursue or implement CRT.
The district’s strategic plan for 2020-2025 was approved. The plan was already prepared for the 2019-2020 school year, but schools were closed the last three months of the school year because of the pandemic.
In the district’s strategic plan, Benjamin Logan is using ESSER/federal grant funds and guidance from the Centers for Disease and Control, to make several enhancements to the indoor air quality in an effort to slow the transmission of germs and viruses, including the flu and COVID-19.
Board member Chris Larson was appointed as the 2021 Ohio School Boards Association delegate
Members also accepted the retirement resignation of John Stahl, and following a retire/rehire hearing, they approved a motion to re-employ him for as a high school art teacher for the 2021-22 school year.
“He has done a very, very excellent job in our art room as a teacher,” Scheu noted.
The board also accepted the resignations of Christine Crissinger, elementary teacher; Kayla Doseck, elementary teacher; and Bryan Knurek, high school teacher.
New hires included Sage Caughenbaugh for high school English and Michael Hughes for custodial and maintenance.
Supplemental contracts for the 2021-2022 school year were approved for Sage Caughenbaugh (junior varsity cheerleading coach), Brian Hunt (LPDC Member Administrator), Sally Stolly (LPDC Member Administrator), Yasmyn Inskeep (middle school volleyball coach), Kasy Copeland (middle school football and basketball cheerleading coach), Cole Carpenter (middle school football coach), Jordy Buck (assistant high school football coach), Melissa Vance (middle school volleyball coach), Ashley Seeley (assistant volleyball coach) and Taylor Quay (freshman volleyball coach).
Overnight trips were approved for the high school jazz band to Chicago, from April 9-11, 2022, the high school volleyball teams for team camp at Otterbein University from July 24-25, 2021 and Washington D.C. trip for ninth and 10th graders from Nov. 17-20, 2021.
The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, in the central office.