Members of the public provided their input regarding the future of the Bellefontaine Middle School’s school resource officer position at the Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening meeting, June 12.
Recently retired BMS SRO Allen Huffman spoke about continuing in his role. Huffman gave examples of how his service at the middle school and elementary school has impacted students and staff.
Huffman has been the SRO for the last seven years. He retired from the BPD on May 31.
BCS parent Brad Flora also spoke in support of Huffman.
Superintendent Brad Hall explained that the SRO position, along with many other positions, are currently vacant. He said the administration is reviewing every expenditure because of the district’s financial forecast.
Currently, BCS is facing deficit spending of $870,000. That number is expected to increase to $1.4 million next spring.
However, school leaders have saved about $700,000 through attrition and job transfers in the last few weeks.
Hall said the district will have another update about the status of the middle school SRO position later this summer.
In financial matters, the board approved the financial re-opener with the Bellefontaine Education Association for the next two school years. The agreement includes 1.5 percent pay increases (on the base salary) for the next two years, effective Sept. 1.
Similarly, members also approved a 1.5 percent pay increase on the base salary for classified staff through an agreement with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, effective Aug. 1.
The board approved motions approving the same compensation for non-represented certified staff and non-represented classified staff as well, effective Aug. 1.
During the treasurer’s report, board members approved the temporary appropriation resolution. A permanent appropriation resolution must be passed by Sept. 30.
The board then went into executive session for the annual evaluations of Superintendent Hall and Treasurer Josh Wasson.
The results of the evaluations will be shared at the next board meeting, slated for 6:30 p.m. July 10 in the Distance Learning Center.
In other action, the board:
• hired the following new employees: Andrew Madley, high school Spanish; Zach Showalter, high school math; Taylor Wayman, fifth-grade English language arts; Rachael Stacklin, first-grade; Rebekah Price, food service; Mary Sidders, educational aide;
• accepted the following resignations: Melanie Antram Ingraham, high school art; Brian Rohrig, high school science; Molly Wimmers, kindergarten; Elijah Woodruff, eighth-grade English language arts; Cheryl Harman, educational aide;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Drew Jackson, assistant high school boys soccer;
• approved six extended days for high school guidance secretary Deborah Sheehan;
• extended supplemental contracts to Andrew Madley, head seventh-grade football; and Lindsey Maus, middle school assistant cross country; and
• announced the recipients of the 20 Board of Education Scholarships for the Class of 2023: $1,000 Board of Education Academic — Sophie Adelsberger, Andrew Phillips; $500 Board of Education Academic — Katelyn Crabill, Tristen Jacobs, Lily Palmer, Audrie Sellars, Jaxon Sopher, Max Varner; $100 BHS Alumni & Friends and $250 Monicha Simpson Memorial — Aiden Mifsud; $300 Robert L. & Helen E. Ginn Memorial — Jah’Kyren Mundy; $500 Hess Collins Family —Corbin Baker, Aubrey Hudson, Nathan Wallace; $500 Effie Patterson Memorial — Landon Kelley; $1,250 Pepsi Leadership — Maggie Howard, Carter Snapp; $1,000 McKenzie Lené Rife —donated to the Art Department; $1,000 James Stolly Memorial — Sullivan Ashcraft; and $500 Ronald H. Wisse —Julia Nelson.