Teachers, classified staff to receive 3 percent raises
A Bellefontaine Middle School employee who “makes the whole building function each day” was honored during the Monday evening board of education meeting as the Bellefontaine City Schools’ Classified Employee of the Year.
BMS head custodian Amanda Williams is the recipient of this year’s award that started several years ago, where nominations are accepted from all district employees to recognize their co-workers who oftentimes work behind the scenes to maintain a clean and safe learning spaces for pupils and staff..
During the award presentation, BMS Principal Lynda Holycross said Williams’ diligence and passion for her job does not go unnoticed by her and fellow staff members. Williams certainly has an “all-weather” commitment to her duties as well.
“Amanda is always the first one here in the morning; she’s here and ready to go at 6 a.m.,” the principal said. “She wants to make sure that the building is ready to go when the first staff and students arrive.
“If there’s snow, we’ll find her outside in the dark with a snowblower, even in 30 mph winds, making sure everything is safe to start the day.”
In addition, with COVID-19 cleaning protocols, Williams also went out of her way to make a “how to clean a desk” tutorial for staff, to boost their confidence that students were being kept safe during the pandemic times, Holycross said.
Board President Brenda Sanford also expressed her thanks to the award recipient.
“We always look forward to touring the buildings in the fall, and the effort you take in getting everything ready is remarkable. You’re appreciated.”
Also during the meeting, members approved an economic package re-opener for the contract with the Bellefontaine Education Association, which includes 3 percent increases on teacher’s base salaries for next school year, effective Aug. 1. This is the first raise that teaching staff have received in the past three years, Superintendent Brad Hall said.
The 2021-22 school year will be the final year of the BEA’s three-year contract, which continues through Aug. 31 2022.
Similarly, the board approved the economic package re-opener with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees/AFSME Local 4, which also includes 3 percent raises for these classified staff members, effective Aug. 1.
Also during the meeting, Bellefontaine High School Envirothon members offered a presentation on a number of projects they have completed this school year, including being awarded a grant to replace the lights at the stadium under the home bleachers with more energy-efficient LED lights. Members said they attended a virtual EcoSummit, where they were afforded with the grant opportunity.
The pupils also recently installed a 1/4-acre pollinator garden between the middle school and elementary school, with grasses and flowers currently in bloom, they said.
In addition, Envirothon conducted a plastic bag drive this spring, collecting tens of thousands of plastic bags from students and staff. Individuals who participated in the collection drive received a reusable tote. The designer of the tote, Leeah Kuhn, passed out these reusable bags to board members at the meeting as well.
The board also approved a trip request from Katie Rychener, DECA adviser and marketing teacher, to take two students to the LAB Northwood University Business Camp in Michigan June 20-25.
The next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, at the BHS Distance Learning Center.