Ohio Hi-Point (OHP) lives and breathes hands-on education. And further evidence of that was submitted to the school’s board of education at their regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27.
The night kicked off with a presentation from junior Alex Thuel and senior Faith Brownlee, both business students from Riverside High School, and Craig Bales, OHP career tech supervisor.
Thuel and Brownlee help run Louie’s Lounge, which sells healthy snacks, drinks, T-shirts and other school spirit items at Riverside High School in DeGraff. It’s part of the Business Professionals of America program.
Other such OHP-run enterprises at area high schools are:
• The Nest – a coffee shop/school store at Graham;
• DECA Depot – a coffee shop at Triad;
• The Morning Grind coffee shop at Mechanicsburg;
• A T-shirt business out of Marysville High School;
• Monarch Marketplace – a school store at Bunsold; and
• Another school store at Upper Scioto Valley.
“SBEs (school-based enterprises) allow us to bring real-world experiences into school buildings,” Bales said later. “It gives students an experience they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Board member Jeff Burroughs commented, “As part of the learning process, this is a great idea.”
The board also recognized the September 2023 students of the month: Kendra Kirk, health careers, Marysville, and Zavian Groom, graphic media arts, Urbana.
Brad Richardson, career tech assistant superintendent, then gave his update, starting with information about the annual celebration of the late Dr. Earl Sloan’s birthday to honor the man and his legacy. Specifically, the Sloan Foundation, which he established in his last will and testament over 100 years ago.
“It’s a nice way to honor his contribution,” Richardson said. “Students have received millions of dollars over the years (from Sloan’s Foundation).”
For this celebration, OHP Chef Jason Cobb and his culinary arts students made their own root beer as a tribute to Sloan’s favorite beverage.
Career tech enrollment since September 2022 has increased by 91 students on the Bellefontaine campus. And while satellite enrollment is down 80 students, Richardson said that almost exactly matched the number of students in the Kenton and Graham IT programs, which were dropped this year.
Richardson informed the board about the recent purchase of the YouScience program, a career exploration tool that will be used by all 14 schools. They were able to buy it with Career Awareness funds for a little over $40,000.
In other action, the board approved or authorized:
• annual appropriations resolution for July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, in the amount of $27,189,600.68;
• the disposal of a 1998 Volvo tractor truck and a semi-trailer will be disposed of for scrap value;
• internship agreements with Alexander Concrete Construction Inc., Bellefontaine; Bushel & A Peck, Piqua; Community Health & Wellness Partners, Bellefontaine; Depot Coffee Shop, Urbana; Hillbilly Brake LLC, Urbana; Kroger Co., Sidney; Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine; Miami Valley Renovations, Covington; Mid-City Electric Co., Westerville; Schulze, Cox & Will Law Office, Marysville; Trinity Lutheran School, Marysville; Wendy’s, Piqua; Whit’s Frozen Custard LLC, Bellefontaine; YCO Hilliker YMCA, Bellefontaine;
• salary schedule movements upon earning a master’s degree to Douglas A. Hughes, C. Megan Lacher and Aaron K. Thompson; and for earning 14 semester hours to David S. Rowe. Also, Katilyn N. Bush, an aide, will receive a 5 percent degree salary incentive due to completion of her master’s degree.
• out-of-state professional development for: Allison Koch, career tech supervisor, to the ACTE National Policy Seminar as part of the NASA cohort to Arlington, Virg., March 16-21, 2024, for $2,100 from the general fund; Mary Gist, Bunsold Middle School Ag/CBI satellite instructor, to chaperone the eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C., Oct. 17-20, 2023, with all costs covered by Marysville EVSD; Gist will also chaperone the Marysville EVSD trip to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, for approximately $1,700, which will be paid by the general fund;
• an out-of-state study trip for Dawn Wallace, Graham High School Ag satellite instructor, plus 1 administrator, to chaperone four students to Perry, Georgia, for the Georgia National Livestock judging event, Oct. 10-15, 2023, for approximately $2,390 from the general fund and $3,020 paid by the CTSO/student;
• stipend of $1,000 will be paid to an eSports coach. Rick Smith, OHP school superintendent, said, “Any kid in the building can do this, not just students in the program.” They will have practices and competitions and, according to Smith, colleges across the country offer big scholarships to talented participants. And since it’s not an OHSAA sport yet, OHP can participate;
• a donation of travel expenses from EF Educational Tours was accepted for Monica Young, English teacher, and another to-be-determined staff member to chaperone up to 18 students with the OHP humanities program to Austria, Germany and Switzerland in March/April 2025, at no cost to the district;
• having explored other bids, the board accepted the proposal from Scioto Services for janitorial services at a cost of $28,785 per month. The other bid wasn’t “even in the ballpark” and would require the company finding staff in the area; and
• the solicitation of contractor proposals for services and materials to complete the administration building renovation project.
Parent-teacher conferences are from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5.
The first Criminal Justice Golf Scramble on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Cherokee Hills Golf Club.
College Day is Friday, Oct. 13, at Benjamin Logan High School.
The second annual OHP fall craft show is Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1.
The Ohio Hi-Point Board of Education conducts a policy committee meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, followed by their regular meeting at 7 p.m.
Craig Bales, OHP career tech supervisor, standing, right, points out some of the real-life learning experiences to running a student-based enterprise, as junior Alex Thuel, standing, left, and senior Faith Brownlee look on. Thuel and Brownlee run Louie’s Lounge, a store at Riverside High School that sells healthy snacks, drinks and school spirit items. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)