Donations, grants accepted for a variety of programs
The Indian Lake Board of Education wrapped up business for 2022, discussed several donations coming to the district and delved into special education during their final meeting of the year Monday, Dec. 19.
Director of Special Education Meaghen Tidwell gave a presentation about the increasing number of students receiving services at Indian Lake. Over the next few years, she expects numbers to grow beyond the current 16 percent, but she is confident the staff will continue to provide excellent services to students and their families.
“I feel like at Indian Lake, the things that we’re really, really good at are implementing our IEPs, providing those accommodations and giving students as much equal access to curriculum as humanly possible,” Tidwell said.
“We also use our numbers and available data to drive interventions to any student that is showing a deficit through our universal screenings and our ongoing district-wide and classroom assessments to make sure that we’re really meeting kids where they’re at.”
In his report, Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood accepted a $4,000 donation to the Indian Lake Music Department from Sandy Helgeson and Vicky Boots with the Nashville Hitmakers. The annual concert event celebrated 10 years this past summer and will continue this coming August in the ILHS Auditorium.
Dr. Underwood reported that the AmVets Post 39 in Lakeview also donated more than $21,000 to the district from their bingo fund. That money will be used to supplement student needs.
Finally, Dr. Underwood highlighted several grants that the district recently received totaling $7,500 from the Mary Rutan Foundation and $2,900 from the Logan County Education Foundation for new and ongoing programs.
The Indian Lake High School Key Club received a grant worth $2,500 through the Mary Rutan Foundation to cover the adoption fee and needed supplies for an emotional support dog. Club Advisory Jenifer Ignarski and club members are working closely with 4 Paws 4 Ability to foster a dog at the high school as soon as possible, as detailed at the last board meeting.
In addition, the Indian Lake Middle School and High School each received $2,500 grants from the Mary Rutan Foundation to continue PBIS (Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports) efforts.
Board members approved a contract with Waibel Energy Systems to install access controls on district doors as part of a $114,000 safety initiative awarded through the Ohio K-12 School Safety Grant.
They also voted to waive competitive bidding and select Intertek Professional Service Systems to abate remaining asbestos in the high school ahead of the ILHS HVAC project this coming summer, with an agreement not to exceed $21,950.
In other action, the board:
• extended supplemental contracts to: Jason Schwaderer, Kaylee Shelton assistant softball; Clint Zedeker, volunteer softball; Connor Dixon, assistant wrestling;
• approved Robin Boots and Dean Elliott as home instruction tutors at the rate of $22 per hour;
• accepted the following donations: $1,840 for Nikki Shoe Memorial Scholarship in memory of her father Steve Shoe; $100 to the Student Needs fund from C&E Engraving, $100 to the Indian Lake Vocal Music from the IL Area Historical Society, $851.98 from Tyler Rode to the Class of 2015 Memorial Scholarship, and $6,500 from Lewis Construction for the purpose of new football uniforms; and
• approved the annual renewal of the Ohio School Boards Association membership and subscription fees of $6,267.
Members also entered executive session for the purpose of considering the employment and discipline of a public employee or official of the School District.
The Indian Lake Board of Education will gather for an organizational meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, to set the schedule for 2023. Gabe Wickline will serve as president pro-tempore for that meeting.