The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday, April 25, following the annual Students of the Month Recognition at 7 p.m. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
With 17 members representing 16 districts, the Ohio Hi-Point (OHP) Career Center Board of Education is unique in its variety of representation. But they all work together when it comes to what’s best for OHP.
And yet, a discussion at their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 24, led to what Dr. Rick Smith, superintendent, called “the most divisive issue we’ve had.”
So, what barely passed by an eight to seven vote (with two members absent)?
A sign. One that may not ever materialize.
During Smith’s district update, he said he was approached about the possibility of putting a business sign on OHP’s property at the Sloan Boulevard intersection.
“I see it as being a partner and a friendly neighbor,” Smith concluded.
Treasurer Caleb Lang, however, had a different take, expressing a couple concerns. One being he didn’t want it to appear as if OHP was endorsing any private business.
Board members then offered feedback. Many agreed with Deb Purcell (Kenton City Schools), who stated, “I think it’s a waste of money. Nobody will look at that sign.”
When it went to a vote, though, the majority by one point chose to move forward. But since it’s just a concept of an idea at this time, Smith said the final decision will be a while.
“We still might not put up the sign,” Smith admitted. “It could be voted down in the end.”
Wednesday night’s meeting began with recognition of the 2023-2024 Students of the Month. Fourteen of the 18 named students were on-hand to share their future plans:
• Hannah Gordon, Bellefontaine High School, criminal justice, full-time employment with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
• Rachael McBride, Graham High School, culinary arts, employment at Six Hundred Downtown and enrolled at Columbus State Community College.
• Jeremiah Pelfrey, Graham High School, graphic media arts, pursuing an art degree.
• Kelsey Bushong, Kenton High School, Education Academy, enrolled at Bluffton University to teach English.
• Jalon Manns, Kenton, Education Academy, enrolled at Wright State University to teach high school social studies.
• Kendra Kirk, Marysville High School, Health Careers Academy, enrolled at Marion Technical College for nursing.
• Alyson Swinehart, Marysville, cosmetology, employed at Simply Gorgeous Salon & Spa, Marysville.
• Hope Brownlee, Riverside High School, criminal justice, moving from intern to full-time employment with LCSO.
• Keianna Notestine, Riverside, cosmetology, pursuing a career in the spa industry.
• Allison Harlan (via video), graphic media arts, Triad High School, University of Alabama.
• Carly Goodman, Triad, graphic media arts, enrolled at The Modern College of Design for an associate’s degree.
• Kaitlyn Gregg, Triad, exercise science, enrolled at Tiffin University.
• Brielle Cotterman, Upper Scioto Valley, exercise science, enrolled at Rhodes State College for nursing.
• Zavian Groom, Urbana High School, graphic media arts, enrolled at Clark State for marketing and employed full-time at Weidman.
• AnnaMaria Brodman, Waynesfield Goshen High School, criminal justice, enrolled at Tiffin University in criminal justice/law enforcement.
Other recognized students not in attendance: Duskin Jones, Benjamin Logan High School, graphic media arts; Trinity Koch, Indian Lake High School, Health Careers Academy; Isabella Hoffman, Kenton, graphic media arts.
Notestine and Brodman were the April 2024 Students of the Month; Gordon and Hoffman were chosen for May 2024.
According to Smith, OHP welcomed 450 students to the Future Fest for incoming sophomores on Thursday, April 18.
In his career tech update, Brad Richardson, assistant superintendent, said the following certifications have been earned: seven students in the Education Academy earned paraprofessional; 19 health career students earned medical assi stant certification; 10 students from Marysville Allied Health completed clinicals and tested for STNA; the first group of nail tech students (four out of five) received their licenses.
In other action, the board:
- approved transferring $1,100,000 from the general fund to the PI fund to cover the fire pump project and to add 80 parking spots due to the large number of juniors starting at OHP in the fall. Other authorized appropriations brought that total to $1,140,264.18.
- approved a general contract for the fire pump upgrades project has been awarded to Grand Lake Building Company for a total sum of $884,900. In addition, an amendment to the school’s agreement with Garmann/Miller & Associates Inc. will increase compensation for their services by $3,258 for the project.
- student/staff insurance for the 2024/2025 school year through the Student Protective Agency, Mt. Vernon;
- accepted the Workers’ Compensation Pool Resolution, managed by Sheakley UniService Inc..
- approved internship agreements with: Anytime Fitness, Bellefontaine; Beauty by Tylor, Delaware; Green Hills Community, West Liberty; Hondros College of Nursing, Westerville; O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Marysville and Urbana; Ruthie’s Cutting Up, Mt. Victory.
- accepted the resignations of Donald Jaunzemis, business operations coordinator, effective July 31, for retirement. He has been replaced by former technical supervisor Matt Heaston. Also, Elijah Woodruff, English instructor, has resigned effective June 30, to move to Toledo.
- hired Mark Butler as the new career awareness coordinator.
- approved certified staff, for the 2024/2025 school year: Hunter Clemons, English; Carrie Godfrey, math; Andrew Goings, fire/EMT; Zoe Parrott, agriculture education.
- approved extended days, to Clemons (5), Goings (5) and Parrott (20).
- extended supplemental contracts to Rebecca Wheeler (2023/2024), and Clemons, Goings and Parrott (2024/2025).
- approved classified staff, facilities and grounds: Luis Lares, facility specialist, April 25, 2024, to June 30, 2024.
- approved an administrative contract, certified staff, to Brianna McCray, director of teaching and learning, July 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025; and an administrative contract, administrative salary, to Matthew Heaston, business operations supervisor.
- approved uncompensated FMLA leave for Samantha Schaffner-Gessler, school counselor, for 12 days through May 24, 2024.
- approved Rebecca Wheeler will be employed as the e-sports advisor for the new extracurricular OHP E-Sports Club.
- accepted the following donations:$750 to the ASPIRE Champion Fund and $250 to the OHP scholarship fund from Solomon’s Garage of West Liberty; $500 to the ASPIRE Champion Fund and $500 to the OHP scholarship Fund from Manchester Farms of Lakeview; $1,000 to the ASPIRE Champion Fund from Community Health & Wellness of Bellefontaine; $200 to the Riverside High School Satellite BPA Fund from Terry Reeder of Bellefontaine for students to travel to San Diego, CA, for the LifeSmarts Competition.
- adopted two new textbooks: Introduction to Health Science for $200 each and Diseases of the Human Body at $80 per textbook plus $60 for the online license.
The Ohio Hi-Point class of 2024 convocation takes place at Bellefontaine High School on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. The board’s next regular meeting takes place right before, at 6 p.m., also at BHS.
Wednesday night’s meeting began with recognition of the 2023-2024 Students of the Month, with many of the seniors on hand to share their future plans. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)