At the July 25, 2016 meeting of the Bethel Board of Education (BOE) Superintendent Virginia Potter reported that the school construction project is making significant progress. Potter noted that according to the Owner’s Representative Joe Hackleroad, the road-widening project should be completed this week.

In addition, the loop road around the campus will be open for the 2016-2017 school year; however, use will be limited to the buses during 2016-2017. Additional progress on the new facility includes the completion of the structural steel and roof. However, the exterior brickwork remains an on-going project. Furthermore, the construction crew expects to complete the HVAC and solar panels within the next two to three weeks. She also announced that the elementary playground would be ready for the new year; however, less equipment will be available for the 2016-2017school year.

Potter also announced that the entire Bethel Campus would be without electrical power from July 28, 2016 through August 1, 2016. Therefore, the facility will be closed. In addition, Time Warner access is temporarily suspended. As a result, the website and email access to school personnel is limited. In addition, school phone service is down and will not be available until August 5, 2016.

In addition, Potter expressed her appreciation for the high school student workers who were helping the Maintenance and Grounds staff this summer cleaning the facility and moving classrooms and furniture

In academic news, Potter congratulated the Advance Placement Students who passed the AP Exams. Students took the tests in a variety of subjects including literature, psychology, government, history and calculus. For those students taking the AP exams in psychology, government and calculus, 56% passed; however, only 20% passed the history AP exam.

In regular business, the BOE announced that a new policy has been established for bus drop-off and pickup. A parent can only designate one pickup location and one drop-off location for their children. If other arrangements are needed, the parent is responsible for making the adjustments. The school will not accommodate deviations from the specified schedule.

Resident Scott Lawson objected to the policy. He said, “We have had an 33% increase in administrative staff and only a 20 % increase in the number of students. It is our job to work with parents to provide for the needs of the students. I believe the board should rethink this policy change.”

In addition, Lawson pointed out that public schools are losing money to online schools. However, he contends that students who attend online schools only spend one hour per day on academic work; however, local school districts are being charged for a full school day. He encouraged the BOE to pass a resolution in support of the other school districts who are protesting the loss of revenues to online schools for students who are not attending as required by state laws.

The BOE approved the appointment of Joe Solch as the delegate to the Annual Business Meeting from November 13 through November 16, 2016.

In addition, they approved an increased in the substitute pay rate to $85 per day and approved the substitute teacher list approved by the Miami County Educational Service Center for the 2016-2017 school year.

In announcements, Potter announced that the new staff would be available for a meet and greet prior to the August 8, 2016 board meeting.

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