Benjamin Logan Board of Education members approved in a split vote 3-2 at their Monday evening meeting an Armed Response Team resolution for the district.
Members Deb Johnson and Scott Spriggs cast the dissenting votes against the measure, which has been discussed by the board in recent months and during a board of education-hosted community forum last summer.
Also at a special meeting during July, the board voted unanimously to approve the training of an armed response team in the district.
House Bill 99 was signed into law in mid-June by Gov. Mike DeWine after it passed both the House and the Senate. The law now allows Ohio schools to arm teachers or other individuals who undergo a minimum of 24 hours of training.
Each member of a school defense team is required to meet the minimum training and have yearly criminal background checks.
During the board’s August meeting, Superintendent John Scheu noted that employees, from teachers to custodians, secretaries and administrators, had signed up to be part of the district’s potential armed response team. The volunteer members participated in a firearms training, with ammunition donated by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
Specific staff who are permitted to be armed in the school is submitted to the Ohio School Safety Center, but the list is not a public record, per the Ohio Revised Code.
Also during the meeting, members approved a resolution to purchase a Yamaha piano and related equipment from Otterbein University, at a price of $64,413.
During the administrative reports, Superintendent Scheu discussed the second Parent Academy event, a Digital Empowerment Night to keep children safe from the dangers of social media. The event, previously scheduled for this evening, March 23, has now been postponed for a later date because of an unforeseen medical emergency, district officials said Thursday morning.
The school will bring in guest speaker Scott Frank, a former law enforcement officer who fought internet crimes against children for over a decade. Besides being a computer forensics expert, Frank’s unique perspective comes from 36 years as an investigator.
The superintendent also discussed the upcoming May 10 Cancer Survivor’s Pancake Breakfast, planned for 9 to 10:15 a.m. at the Benjamin Logan Middle School commons.
The breakfast is free for those currently living with cancer and for cancer survivors.
Guests are welcome to attend.
Chris Cakes of Ohio will be serving world famous Flying Flapjacks. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, orange drink and coffee.
To register, visit https://www.maryrutan.org/forms/blbreakfast/by May 5.
Later that morning, Benjamin Logan Schools invites all survivors to walk the first lap around the BLHS Gymnasium to kick off the Benjamin Logan High School Raider Relay event at 11 a.m.
Scheu also congratulated the cast and crew of last weekend’s Wizard of Oz production for a tremendous showing, and recognized the seniors of the Bellefontaine Rotary Club’s annual Honors Night Monday.
During the financial report, Treasurer Jennifer Sudhoff reported that updated estimate for track financing will be available for April board meeting.
During the hearing of visitors, Cylie Whitt addressed the board regarding a concern about the wrestling program.
In other action, the board:
• approved student activity fund expenditure for four senior citizen/student breakfasts annually;
• approved the following new bus aides: Anastasia Shields, effective March 20; and Michelle Phipps, effective March 7;
• approved Heidi Fuller, elementary school counselor, for a one-year limited contract, effective Aug. 1;
• approved Justin Shupert to return to work effective March 13, to be paid per timesheet/per diem rate; when restrictions are lifted and resumes full duties, Shupert will resume contractual pay;
• approved a deduct day for Amanda Iiams on March 10;
• approved an updated salary schedule for minimum wage change to $10.10; and
• accepted donations/volunteer services: $387.25 from Kiwanis Club of Bellefontaine to Builders Club for the purpose of assisting middle school families in need; $200 from Ohio Beef for the purpose of purchasing Beef for Global Foods.
Members also convened in executive session to A employment of employee or official.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, April 17.