Doug Palmer, Ohio School Boards Association transportation consultant, provided a transportation update for the Benjamin Logan Board of Education at their Monday evening meeting, relating that the district is doing an excellent job using data to make decisions.
The district’s transportation department is currently fully staffed and the department covers 25 routes.
Sixteen of the buses are less than five years old. Overall, the bus fleet is in decent condition, Palmer noted.
Ben Logan buses travel about 370,000 miles annually, which is 14,200 miles per bus.
Palmer also highlighted district objectives, including efficiency and increasing safety and service through rerouting and reducing fuel and repair costs (lower engine idle time, ways to reduce tire friction, increase preventative maintenance, alignment of all bus chassis, recapping rear tires).
The OSBA consultant also discussed Laserline Mobile Truck Alignment, which can stretch district dollars through tire cost and performance decisions as well as fuel, wear and tear, and maintenance. One of the goals is to choose the best tires to increase tire life and reduce fuel consumption.
Superintendent John Scheu shared the potential of increasing the fuel budget by $100,000 this year and stressed the importance of efficiency to reduce those costs.
Board Vice President Karen Dill thanked the transportation staff and the administration for their hard work.
In other discussion items, Scheu noted that he will be meeting Tuesday with 18 employees who expressed interest in being trained for a potential armed response team. Curriculum approval from the state is still pending, officials said.
The superintendent also mentioned at the board’s special meeting last week that the district is looking at hiring two new school resource officers for the upcoming school year, meaning one officer for each school building. Logan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matt Robinson is currently employed as a school resource officer in the district.
In financial matters, the board approved an advance of $50,000 from the General Fund to Athletics. The advance will be repaid, not to exceed two years.
Members also convened in executive session regarding item employment of an employee.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the following resignations: Brooke Tuttle, high school teacher, effective July 31; and Kara Wenger, educational assistant, effective July 11,
• approved a one-year contract for new hire Lance Predmore, high school social studies, effective Aug. 1;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Yasmyn Inskeep, junior varsity girls basketball; she has accepted the Indian Lake High School head girls coach position;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Joel Phillips, middle school boys basketball; Melissa Vance, middle school volleyball; Matt Marshall, middle school wrestling; Maria Wilcoxon, junior varsity cheer, competition cheer coach; Jamie Hughes, high school head soccer;
• accepted the donations/volunteer services as listed: Joe Webb, high school assistant football; Lance Predmore, Tate Stratton, middle school football;
• extended non-athletic supplemental contracts to LPDC chairman Bruce Smith, secretary Sarah Smith and member Mandi Wood;
• accepted a $5,000 donation for a marching band director tower from the Music Boosters.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15.