Submitted by Bill Tipple
The Bellefontaine Board of Education heard an in-depth back-to-school update at their monthly meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Brad Hall and Director of Administrative Services Roger Ely led the presentation.
Hall reported that 40 new staff members have been hired.
He added that enough bus drivers have been hired for BCS to operate on an earlier schedule for the upcoming school year.
Here are the school hours for each building.
Bellefontaine High School – 7:20 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
Bellefontaine Middle School – 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Bellefontaine Intermediate School – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Bellefontaine Elementary School – 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
There will be two combined bus routes in ’22-’23.
Middle school and high school students will ride on the same route.
The other combined route will include elementary school and intermediate school students.
BCS is still looking for additional bus drivers.
To learn more, contact Tammie Garman at 937-651-3497.
Hall said many teachers are already in their classrooms making preparations for students.
The school year starts on Tuesday, September 6th.
Hall reported that a tentative agreement has been reached with the classified staff.
The certified staff approved a new contract earlier this summer.
Ely gave an overview of the federally-funded high school renovation project.
Ely noted the $4.9 million in grant funds equates to 29 years of local permanent improvement funds.
The project includes a more efficient cooling system with specific controls for each classroom.
The new equipment incorporates CO2 sensors, fresh air, and ionization for a healthier air environment for students and staff.
Each classroom in the academic wing has new univents to heat and cool that respective room.
Water is ready for consumption in the high school.
The water was tested by the Logan County Health District last week.
Several high school restrooms have been renovated and are ready for use.
Crews also replaced old carpeting in the BHS library and office area with rubber floors that are easier to clean and disinfect.
The rubber floors are similar to the floors at Bellefontaine Elementary School and Bellefontaine Middle School.
Ely reported the new chiller for the high school classrooms is scheduled to arrive next week.
Air handlers in the gym along with new windows in the academic wing will be installed next summer.
In personnel, the board accepted the resignations of these employees:
Julie Phillips – Behavior Support Specialist
Jamie Dunaway – Educational Aide
Carl Burrows – Bus Driver
Stephen Funderburgh – Bus Driver
In other personnel, the board hired the following employees:
Marice Furlong – 8th Grade Math
Robert Wolf – 8th Grade Social Studies
Kristen Friedrich – Educational Aide
Connie Rose – Food Service Worker
Tom Kimble – Bus Driver
Jack Lane – Bus Driver
Jill Nevers – Bus Driver
Two supplemental contracts were approved.
Taylor Mitchell – High School Volleyball Assistant Coach
Daulton Mosbarger – 7th Grade Football Head Coach
David Overholser was approved as a volunteer high school bowling coach.
The salary for substitute teachers was increased from $105 to $115 per day to accommodate for the longer school day in each building.
The board approved bus routes and curriculum for the ’22-’23 school year.
The board also approved the cafeteria rates for this year.
The district will offer free breakfast to all students.
Here is a breakdown of lunch prices.
High School/Middle School
Lunch – $2.25
Reduced Lunch – $.40
Intermediate School/Elementary School
Lunch – $2.00
Reduced Lunch – $.40
Extra milk will cost $.55 for students in grades K-12.
Adult prices:
Breakfast – $2.00
Lunch – $3.75
Milk – $.55
The board accepted the donation of school supplies from Jeff Aten in memory of his wife, Lynn Aten, who was an educational aide in the district.
Finally, the board completed its annual evaluation of Treasurer Josh Wasson.
BCS Board President Brenda Sanford said, “Mr. Wasson received an excellent evaluation from the board. We are pleased with his continued work on helping the district to adjust to a new accounting and personnel system and his willingness to seek creative solutions to financial challenges as they occur.”
The next board meeting will be on Monday, September 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Distance Learning Center at BHS.
