The Bellefontaine Board of Education conducted their July meeting Monday night. A brief, light agenda allowed board members the opportunity to see the construction progress of the new elementary and middle schools.
The elementary building, which will house kindergarten through second grade and the middle school for grades 6 through 8, is on schedule to be ready for an August 2013 opening. Fortunately, the recent high winds that caused so much damage in the area did not affect the buildings.
Huge bay windows (shown below, right) are featured in almost all the classrooms to maximize natural energy and light. Two courtyards are part of the elementary school campus, one in the middle school. Gyms (middle school bottom left) sizes in both schools are much bigger than before. Superintendent Beth Harman especially likes that the cafeteria and gym in the elementary (bottom picture) building are in two separate locations.
Beth Harman talks about what she likes about the new buildings.
Other features that will appeal to students will be the extended classroom areas for additional projects, the overall beauty of the wooded area surrounding the facility and of course, both buildings will be air conditioned.
In other news, the board accepted the resignations of Southeastern music teacher Martha Marshall and high school technology teacher Lyle Moyer.
Two new teachers were hired. Joliece Reed will teach 5th grade at Western. W. Brian Timpe replaces Marshall at Southeastern.
Finally, the board approved the $30 student fee for workbooks for the upcoming school year. The rate is the same as last year.
The board has two meetings planned in August. On the 13th, the Committee of the Whole will meet. The regular meeting will be the 27th. Both meetings will begin at 6:30 at the board office.
