NEWS

At the November 16, 2015 Meeting of the Bethel Board of Education, Joe Harkleroad, Owner’s Representative for the construction project, told the BOE that the new construction is going well. The contractor is pouring the footers and will start laying block on November 17. The installation of the plumbing is in progress along with the electrical conduit work. DP&L should also move the electrical poles in the parking November 17, 2017.

However, he reported that the tiles in the elementary girls’ restroom are still not satisfactory. The company has been back four times and it is does not look professional. Ruetschle Architects will send a letter demanding the contractor fix it and they must use a different party to perform the work.

The Board approved adding several improvements to the school construction project recommended by Ruetschle Architects if funds are available in the future. These improvements include the replacement of the windows on the third floor of the Elementary Building, Brick Tuck Work for the Elementary Building, the retiling and drainage reconstruction for the baseball diamond, and the replacement and repair of the Middle School, High School and Elementary School addition. Potter expressed safety concerns about the movement of the buses in and out of the bus barn in relation to playground time.

In the administrative staff reports, the school administrators provided updates to the board. Virginia Potter, Superintendent, reported on the success of the middle school musical. She also thanked Steven Roger, for his presentation to the middle school on the Wounded Veterans Presentation in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Potter also reported that the staff is reevaluating the criteria for selection of valedictorian and salutatorian for the classes starting with this year’s freshman class. The first criterion will be the highest cumulative GPA, but will only allow for weighted classes taken at Bethel.The new criterion will include a score for the number of academic credits taken.

Potter said that the administration is planning to add more high-level AP classes to the course of study. The science requirements are being revised with additional emphasis on 21st Century Learning Skills.

Potter also reported on the comparison of Bethel’s school fees to that of other districts. She said, “The school fees only cover 1% of the general operating expenses. Pay to Participate Fees are not included in the 1%. Most schools cap fees at around $25 - $35; Bethel does not. This will be reevaluated in the spring. In addition, the $10 fee for Progress Book will be lowered because MDECA was bought by a firm in Columbus.”

Potter met with several groups in an attempt to improve communications within the community. She met with community members, students and staff to discuss technology, project based learning, safety issues, and 21st century learning.

For Jodi Petty, Elementary Principal, who was unable to attend, Potter reported that Petty has recognized a number of students for accelerated reader and student of the month awards. The classes competed in a box top competition, raised $700 - $750, and expect to raise an additional $1200.

For Alexis Dedrick, Middle School Principal, Potter reported that a new section of Math 8 was added because of increased enrollment. Sixty new Chromebooks are now available to the classes.

John Augustine, Athletic Director, was preparing for the Fall Athletic Awards and was unable to attend. He reported through Potter that he is almost finished with fall coaches evaluations and the winter sports teams are participating in scrimmages in preparation for the winter sports season.

Next Craig Vasil, High School Principal, reported that the Veterans Day presentation was well received by the high school students. John Powell, CSM spoke to the students. Vasil said, “After the presentation, I invited the students to thank the veterans. Every student shook the veterans’ hands; said thank you and many of them hugged the presenters. It was amazing.  I am so proud of them.”

He also reported that the new lockers have been installed and that new procedures have been put in place for students to sign-in to use the library. Students can sign-up to use the library during their study hall before school, at lunch, and after school for use the next day. Student athletes can now store their gym bags in the girls and boys locker rooms before school. The students will not have access to the gym bags during the school day.

Brian Moore, Board Member, complimented Vasil. He said, “I’m glad to hear you are listening to the students. Kudos for coming up with a solution to the gym bag problem.”

Dave Oleszczuk, Network Administrator, then reported that 60 new chromebooks are now available and would like to have two additional carts of chromebooks for the modular classrooms. He also reported that the network has been capacity tested for the state testing. The network can currently handle 180 users without a problem. He requested that an additional camera be purchased for the weight room, along with two cameras that have failed and cannot be replaced.

In regular business, the Bethel BOE approved Connie Anderson as a Classified Substitute for 2015-2016.

They also approved changes to Board Policies 9211, District Support Organizations. According to Potter, the changes to section 9211 were minor changes recommended by the state in how organizations are added as support organizations. They also approved a change to Section 7300, Disposition of Real Property/Personal Property that increased the value of property that the superintendent is allowed to dispose of without board approval to $2500.

The board approved the recommendations by the School District Records Commission, consisting of the Board President, Treasurer, and Superintendent of Schools in accordance with law to judge the advisability of destroying district records, approves the destruction of the treasurers records in accordance to the legal retention requirements. The treasurer’s department still has 50 years of records to evaluate for destruction. A vendor has not been named to destroy the records.

Several members of the community spoke to the board. First Lori Sebastian, who is a board member elect, expressed her appreciation to the voters for giving her the opportunity to serve on the school board. She also complimented the staff and students on the middle school musical production of Seussical, and reminded the community about the Chili Cook-off on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.

Newly elected board member, Todd Wright also thanked the community for their support. He said, “I’m really looking forward to serving the community.”

Last Rachel Kipling requested once again that the Bethel BOE resume the open forum before each board meeting. She also asked about the survey results and what policy changes would be made going forward. She also requested more detailed information about the policy changes that were approved by the board. No response was made by the board.

The next meeting of the Bethel BOE is scheduled for December 14, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. in the School Auditorium.

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