A vast variety of topics dotted the agenda of the Tecumseh Board of Education’s regular meeting on April 25 in the Arrow Conference Room at Tecumseh High School. All BOE members were present. District Superintendent, Norm Glismann, District Assistant Superintendent, Paula Crew, and District Treasurer, Debra Schock, were also in attendance.

The meeting opened with long-time Tecumseh Board of Education (BOE) member, Peter Scarff, accepting a Certificate of Recognition from the Ohio School Boards Association Ohio School Boards Association in recognition for his many years of service to the Tecumseh Local Schools’ community.

Board members made a resolution to join other school districts across the nation in celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Week from May 2-6, 2017, and celebrating National Teacher Day on May 3.

BOE members met Tecumseh Junior, Vanessa Cabrera, who has been selected to serve as the first Student Representative to the Board in several years. High School Principal. Ivan Gehret, says Cabrera’s application essay and involvement in school life helped secure her appointment to the position. Cabrera says she looks forward to representing the student body, and she believes working with the BOE will help prepare her for pursuing a Business degree after graduation.

Donnelsville students in Amy Hall’s second-grade class presented letters they wrote and sent to President Trump in February. Several students asked the President if he had any pets. Other questions included what his wife’s name is, what President Trump enjoys most about being the president, if he can keep everyone safe, and if President Trump has a video room at the White House. The students also shared information about themselves in hopes of getting the President to reply to their letters, such as one student’s desire to become a secret agent someday.

McGraw-Hill Education Representative, Danny Paul, gave an overview of the K-5 “Reading Wonders” reading program the district recently piloted. Superintendent Glismann and several teachers are recommending the BOE purchase the reading program, which employs a heavy use of digital resources that mirror the AIR tests currently used in Ohio. “The school has decided it wants to use (the program), but we want your approval (because) it’s a fairly large expenditure,” Glismann explained to BOE members, pointing out it will take $220,000 and a 6-year bundled contract to implement the program; but that the district would have until 2019 to make interest-free payments.

Board member, Corrine Scott reported that the district will be rolling out a new employee questionnaire soon. The 19 questions will be administered by a third party and will be completely anonymous. Scott says the committee that developed the questionnaire hopes the format will help employees feel more comfortable being honest about their experiences in the district.

Treasurer Schock told BOE members of a generous donation of $8,615 made by family and friends in memory Pat West, who had spent much time working in Special Education. West’s niece, Stacy Reynolds, designated the funds for use in the Special Education Department at Tecumseh High School. The “Aunt Pat Fund” donation was accepted by the BOE, as well as donations by Benevity Community Impact ($150.00) and Watch-Us Inc. ($111.37).

Approval was given for the district to host several summer sports camps for Football, Basketball, and Volleyball. Girl’s Golf was also approved as a club sport for the 2017-2018 school year. Sport camps and club sports are offered at no cost to the district.

In other business, the BOE approved a list of 25 new school district policies and policy revisions. Board members also accepted an extensive list of employee contract renewals, as well as new employees.

The BOE meeting closed with an announcement of the following upcoming events:

A Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser for 13-year-old student, Collin Griffin, who is fighting a rare form of childhood cancer. The dinner costs $10.00 for diners age 11 and up, and $5.00 for children 10 and under. The dinner will take place at Tecumseh Middle School from 5:00-8:00 pm on May 5.

THS Choir Concert – 7:00 pm, May 16

THS Senior Awards Night – 7:00 pm, May 17

THS Band Concert – 7:00 pm, May 18

The next regular BOE meeting will take place May 23 at 6:00 pm in the Arrow Conference Room.