Bellefontaine High School Principal Fred Boring presents the school's three-year "High Schools That Work" site action plan.

The initiative, aimed at preparing more Ohio high school students for college, provided funding to 49 schools statewide, Gifted Coordinator Debbie Ellis said Monday night at the Bellefontaine school board meeting. (Video interviews included.)

The state awarded Bellefontaine $67,000. The board accepted the nonrenewable funds at the meeting.

Through the Seniors to Sophomores program, BHS seniors can enroll full time at Clark State Community College and earn a full year of college credit for no cost while completing high school graduation requirements.

According to Ellis, the grant money will be targeted at low-income or disadvantaged students.

Ellis says taking college courses as a high school senior saves valuable time and money.

Watch comments from Ellis.

Students have two options, Ellis said: take classes online or from BHS teachers certified through the college to function as adjunct professors.

Students will use the same syllabi and textbooks that they would if they took the course on the college campus.

Bellefontaine has offered dual enrollment courses for the last three years. The school has agreements with Clark State Community College, The University of Findlay and Wright State University.

Last year 27 Bellefontaine students enrolled in dual enrollment courses. The school is shooting for 100 or more next year, Ellis said.

The University System of Ohio, which was established by Gov. Strickland and the Ohio Board of Regents, requires all state universities in Ohio to accept transfer credits earned through the Seniors to Sophomores program. Ellis said most private schools also have agreed to accept the credits.

In other business, High School Principal Fred Boring presented to the board the school's three-year site action plan.

According to Boring, the plan's goal is raise the school's expectations for students.

Watch comments from Boring.

The board also honored Mandarin Chinese language teacher Guanhua Huang for her service to the district this past school year. She returns to China this summer.

Finally, the board approved the contract of Jennifer Roby as Intervention Specialist.

The next board meeting will be June 23rd at 6:30 p.m.