The Benjamin Logan Board of Education elected officers and set their schedule for the year during their recent organizational meeting.
Tod Johnson was voted board president for the second year in a row, and Deb Johnson was re-elected board vice president.
The board also scheduled the meeting dates for the coming year, with most meetings to be conducted on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Benjamin Logan Central Office. The February meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 22, because of Presidents’ Day, and other meeting date exceptions are for June — Monday, June 28; and December — Monday, Dec. 13.
During the regular meeting that followed, Superintendent John Scheu reported that COVID-19 vaccines for staff will be available, but not as quickly as the district had hoped. About 62 percent of staff have opted to receive this voluntary vaccine.
The superintendent also said that the suspect involved in the Benjamin Logan break-ins during August, Brandon A.M. Risner, has been indicted by a Logan County grand jury. A grand jury story appeared in Saturday’s Examiner with further details.
Additional security cameras have been installed both inside and outside of the school buildings.
Also, Scheu reported that House Bill 409 has just passed, allowing for this school year only to employ substitute teachers without a bachelor’s degree. The local school districts set this criteria. The Midwest Regional Educational Service Center will provide a 10-hour orientation. Background checks are required.
The board also discussed the lease/purchase of seven new 2022 IC CE 78 passenger school buses.
In personnel matters, the board approved the resignation agreement with Jann McBrien, food services director, and the Benjamin Logan Local School District Board of Education, effective at the end of the day Jan. 15
Members conducted an executive, and following the session, members announced the hire of Sonja Hill, director of nutrition and human resources, effective Jan. 29, on a one-year contract to fill McBrien’s position. Members also announced the hire of Jamie Whited as a computer technician on a one-year contract beginning on Jan. 19.
The board also learned about a new shirt design that was presented for School Board Appreciation month. The new design can be purchased at https://blcommunity21.itemorder.com/sale?read_message=true.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the retirement resignations of Carol Elliott, educational aide, effective May 27; and Laura Middaugh, educational aide, effective Aug. 1, 2021; and the resignation of Lucinda Stalling, food service, effective Nov. 30, 2020;
• approved the following grants from the Community Connections Fund: Gretchen Powell, Making your Mark on Community, $448.81; Barb Kuck,Uncovering Fossils, $500; Jason Smith, Programming in the Real World, $500; Lora James, Cut it Out, $379.88;
• reported a contribution has been made to the First Lutheran Church in the memory of Donald Lee “Colonel” Johnson, father of board member Tod Johnson;
• T.J. Rose from Logan County Farm Bureau presented a Impact Fund Check to Benjamin Logan FFA.
• established board service fund to be set aside as an account within the General Fund, in the amount of $5,000;
• set Board Member pay at $125 per meeting for a max of 24 meetings per year;
• adopted the noted standing authorizations to allow for efficient financial management and full execution of duties by the Treasurer, President, and Superintendent.
• designated the Bellefontaine Examiner as the official local newspaper;
• retained the law firm of Scott Scriven LLP of Columbus, and secondary attorney retained the law firm of Squire Patton Boggs LLC of Columbus.
• appointed the superintendent as the board’s designee as hearing officer in appeals of student suspensions by the principals.
• appointed the Benjamin Logan Board of Education as hearing officer in appeals of student expulsions by the superintendent or designee.