“We’re really excited about all of you coming on board,” Deb Johnson, pictured center, a Benjamin Logan Local School District Board of Education member, told the district’s newest hires at their regular meeting on Monday, March 18. That includes elementary school assistant principal Anthony Given, and Deepika Scheiderer, pictured right, who will be the assistant middle school principal. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
“We’re trying to help Indian Lake,” Superintendent John Scheu told the Benjamin Logan Local School (BLLS) District Board of Education at their regular meeting on Monday, March 18.
“I contacted the superintendent there and offered any facilities they might need.”
In his brief report, Scheu also stated he’d expressed the district’s willingness to assist the Indian Lake community to Sheriff Randy Dodds. Scheu concluded by stating the United Way needed volunteers for relief efforts. He gave ashley as the contact e-mail.
The tornado, which went from an EF3 to an EF2, came within half a mile of the BLLS campus.
Moving to other business, the board introduced the new assistant elementary school principal, Anthony Given, and the recently hired assistant middle school principal, Deepika Scheiderer to the community. They were hired at step one on three-year contracts.
“I am looking forward to joining the Benjamin Logan Elementary community as the new Assistant Principal,” Given said. “I am excited to contribute to the continued success of Benjamin Logan Elementary.”
Given will be assisting Holly Barr, the new elementary principal, beginning Aug. 1. He is an accomplished sixth and seventh-grade math teacher, with a strong commitment to student success and a dedication to fostering a positive learning environment, district officials noted.
With over 20 years of experience in education, Scheiderer is a committed and energetic member of the Raider community, officials said. She is known for her significant contributions to student growth and success and involvement in building-wide initiatives such as Collins Writing, PBIS, and House.
“I am honored to serve the Benjamin Logan Middle School community as the new assistant principal,” Scheiderer said. “I am deeply committed to supporting the success and well-being of our students, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, students, and parents of the Benjamin Logan school community.”
Scheiderer will be working alongside Todd Shadley, the new middle school principal, beginning Aug. 1.
Three-year contracts were also approved for: Jeff Fay, assistant high school principal; Nic George, director of information technology; Beau Harmon, activities director; Daniel Lyons, speech/language pathologist; Stacie Newman, director of food services/EMIS; and Sally Stolly, director of administrative services.
In addition, the board extended two-year contracts for Colleen Bodin, special education director; Holly Barr, elementary school principal; and Todd Shadley, middle school principal.
“Administrators don’t have the job security teachers have with continuing contracts,” Scheu said. “I think it shows a vote of confidence.”
Board member Scott Spriggs voted no to offering three-year contracts because he felt they need to be consistent.
In other board news:
- Annette Alatorre named Mylee Boysel and Joel Mitchell the March Seniors of the Month in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements and leadership within the community.
- During her February 2024 finance report, treasurer Jennifer Sudhoff recommended enacting a cash balance policy. A healthy cash balance gives the school enough funds to cover 30 to 60 days. The school currently sits at 71 days. Sudhoff’s goal is 90.
“It’s a target,” she said, “and my policy is to let you know every month when we’re not meeting that.” - Contingent upon completion of all O.R.C. requirements, the board approved the ESC substitute list for the 2023-24 school year at $115 per day.
- In addition, Scheu presented a dozen policies without changes for first reading and review.
- The board accepted the following donations: Disability Awareness coloring books and crayons from Logan County Board of Developmental Disabilities for elementary students; an anonymous donation of $380 to support the eighth grade Washington D.C. trip; another $1,060 from Ben Logan middle school PTC for the Washington D.C. trip.
- Anthony Harris was appointed the high school softball coach on a volunteer basis.
Johnson requested they change the date of the next meeting due to a conflict, so it was rescheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 22, instead of April 15.