Student achievement, remaining campus construction projects and a change to the nearby cemetery’s status were key topic at the Nov. 18 meeting of the Northwestern Board of Education.
Board President Pamela Marton opened the meeting by leading Board members, teachers and community members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting took place in Northwestern Elementary School’s Library; roll call showed all members were present.
Elementary Principal Danielle Romine presented Board members with an outline of the activities and accomplishments the elementary students have enjoyed so far this school year. Some activities have included: “Grandparents’ Week,” “Rocket Day” with high school students, “Family Reading Nights,” a Mother/Son “Neon Party,” “Donuts with Dad,” a Veterans Day event, a performance of “Treasure Island” by the Springfield Arts Council, as well as PTO-sponsored “Movie Nights” and “Game Nights”
Romine also spoke about the expansion of Northwestern Elementary school’s Student Council, quarterly student awards and the activities of the school’s brand-new, student-run “News Crew.” She reported that Northwestern Elementary teachers have also been taking part in many professional development opportunities.
Math club advisors, Heather Swenson and Lori Ballentine, assisted fourth grade students, Tate Swenson and Nate McCutcheon, and third grader Brayden Spencer in a presentation about the “Crazy 8’s” after-school math club’s participation in the OSBA 2015 Capital Conference Student Achievement Fair. According to Swenson and Ballentine, the Crazy 8’s members were some of the youngest students to participate at the OSBA Student Achievement Fair. The club members explained to Board members how they showed Achievement Fair visitors the way fun activities can help them learn and retain math concepts. Each student used pictures to show Board members their favorite activities. According to Ballentine, the club is so popular there is currently a waiting list to join.
Steiner reported the current status of the remaining construction projects awaiting completion or repair on the schools’ campus. According to Steiner, there has been difficulty in getting replies from some of the parties responsible for helping the district close out those building projects. “Right now, we are struggling to get some of the people back to the table because we are approaching the point in the project where the amount of money owed is not enough to incentivize them to come back and make the corrections. We are going to continue trying to get those people back in here to get those things fixed.”
Community member Paul Snyder expressed his concerns to the board regarding the possible upcoming substitution levy, the Common Core standards, and the growing trend towards dropping cursive writing from school curricula. Snyder also inquired whether or not the district would ever consider opening a S.T.E.M. academy like some of the surrounding districts. Board members addressed his concerns and promised to get more information where needed.
The cemetery plot sitting on campus grounds continues to be a cause for concern for the school district. According to Steiner, he learned the information he provided about the cemetery at the last meeting was incorrect. The cemetery is not included in the deed to the adjoining property. The deed to the cemetery is, in fact, currently lost. Steiner reported that contact has been made with the appropriate county offices, but the district has not received a satisfactory answer in how to deal with the property. Board members discussed the report and offered possible solutions to the problem. Steiner and various Board members are going to continue trying to find a resolution in how to deal with the safety issues presented by the current state of the cemetery grounds.
The next regular Northwestern Board of Education meeting will take place on Dec. 17, 2015 at 6:00 pm in the Northwestern Elementary School Library. The public is welcome to attend all Board of Education meetings. For more information about the Northwestern Local School District go to http://www.northwestern.k12.oh.us and follow the appropriate links or call 937-964-1318.
