Teacher, support staff appreciation day set for Dec. 21
Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education members heard from Bellefontaine Music Association parents at the Monday evening board meeting about their concerns regarding band opportunities for students that have been impacted by the pandemic this year.
Parent Russell Moody said he is hopeful that middle school students can return to symphonic band and high school pupils can resume symphonic band and concert band in the near future. He provided examples of ways that other area school districts have been able to conduct these classes with COVID-19 safety measures in place, including social distancing students by using school auditoriums and utilizing bell covers for instruments.
Recently, the Bellefontaine City Schools’ orchestra performed an in-person concert that was a “real morale booster” for students and families, Moody said. The string instruments in the orchestra haven’t been as much of a safety concern since those instruments don’t create the risk of spread via airborne particles, compared to instruments powered by human breath, officials related.
Superintendent Brad Hall said while pupils have not been able to participate in band programs since the fall — when marching band classes were hosted outdoors — the district is working closely with local health officials so that concert and symphonic band classes can be offered at the high school once again.
Detailed plans were submitted last week to the Logan County Health District, and Hall related that if a few modifications are put in place with LCHD approval, the high school band classes will be able to meet at the start of the second semester in January.
High school band director Jeremy Karg has also ordered bell covers and musician masks that can be utilized by students once the classes resume.
Band classes at the middle school, however, are still in question, Hall said. There is very little extra space at that building where band members could be spread out to meet the distancing requirements and the middle school band director also is currently serving as a remote learning instructor off site.
Also during the meeting, members passed a resolution to declare Monday, Dec. 21, as a special day to express appreciation to teachers and support staff as a result of their efforts to “rise to the challenge of educating, transporting, feeding and supporting students” during the health crisis.
The board’s resolution encourages community members to join together that day to personally express appreciation to district teachers and support staff “for their dedication and devotion to their work.”
Members denoted the “talented and hardworking teachers who have continued to adapt and provide students with high quality educational programming throughout the pandemic;” and the “dedicated support staff who have used their extensive skills to support the smooth operation of offices, the safety and maintenance of buildings and property, and the safe transportation, healthy nutrition and direct instruction of students.”
Relating to financial matters, the board approved an increase to the substitute hourly wage schedule for custodians, from $10 per hour to $14 per hour, effective Dec. 1, in an effort to attract and retain quality candidates.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement resignation of Donna Brewer, intermediate school educational aide, effective Jan. 31.
In other action, the board:
• approved the hire of Madeline Beck as an elementary school Title I instructor, effective Jan. 4; and service and support staff member Chizuru Bello, cook, effective Nov. 16;
• approved Jenny Salyer as the District Coordinator for the Positive Behavior Intervention, with a stipend of $2,000 to be paid from Title IV funds;
• approved Michelle Fosnaugh for long-term substitute pay status, effective Nov. 13;
• extended middle school supplemental contracts to: Heather Storm, basketball cheerleading, Renee Price, head eighth-grade basketball; Jere Daniels, Katina Elwood, Keri Fergus, Jeremy Karg and Hannah Rodenhausen, assistant musical production;
• recognized seniors of the month Lavon Howard and Erin Jackson; and
• approved the following professional staff tutors to be paid at the rate of $25 per hour through the 21st Century BMS+ Grant and ESSR funds: Melanie Antram-Ingraham, Tracy Brady, Jason Calton, Stacy Calton, Sandi Chervenak, Eli de Nijis, Roy Hobson, James Hughes, Paul Kite, Jill Roode, Karen Scott.
Members appointed Scott Abraham as president pro-tempore for the organizational meeting, slated for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center. The regular monthly meeting follows the organizational session.