The Benjamin Logan Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening.
Several parents were in attendance to voice concerns on two different issues.
First, the board heard concerns about Weekly Religious Education. The issue at hand is where the trailer will be parked. The trailer was moved off school grounds two years ago. The school bused students a few miles down the road. The board earlier this year agreed to move the trailer back to the school campus, but so far this year it hasn’t returned. WRE hasn’t started at the school yet. No official date was given last night as to when the program will begin.
After the board heard from the parents, Superintendent Scheu stated the total commitment on the part of the administration and board of education to allow students to have the option to attend religious education. WRE is optional and not part of the curriculum.
The second concern was sports related. A parent shared concerns with both the football and baseball programs focusing on discipline and respect.
The board then moved to their agenda items for the evening.
The Superintendents reports included an update on the Recently Released School Report Card as well as priorities related to the School Safety Grant.
- This is the first year since the pandemic that a report card has had some substance. Results are from last year’s testing. Schools and districts now receive star ratings for five components. The report cards for the 2021-2022 school year do not include an overall rating.
- Report cards are only one part of the story about what is happening in our schools. To get a more complete picture, we encourage you to visit our schools, talk to educators, parents and students, and follow us on social media. A lot of great things are happening every day at Benjamin Logan schools!
- Security grant funds estimated at $150,000 will be awarded to BL; looking at safety film which helps prevent the penetration of bullets; obtaining quotes; idea is to buy more time allowing the SROs and law enforcement time to react more quickly.
- Security cameras are another priority to cover all areas of the buildings
- The third priority is to make all doors in the entryways safer to enhance the security and protection of our students
The finance report from Treasurer/CFO Jennifer Sudhoff emphasized the generosity of the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.
- $20,000 was awarded to continue the development of a comprehensive, cohesive computer science curriculum in grades K-12. The team consists of high school computer science teacher Jason Smith, middle school technology teacher Sarah Smith, middle school STEM teacher Gretchen Powell, and elementary technology paraprofessional Brooke Smith.
- Spencer Reames was awarded $1,000 through the Arthur S. Holden Award for Excellence in Science Education to support continued deep learning experiences for his students.
- The Treasurer/CFO recommended the adoption of a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the Budget Commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the County Auditor.
- Student Activity Funds were presented for board consideration and Activity Budgets for the 2022-2023 School Year were board approved.
In personnel, the board accepted the resignations of Hannah Olsen- Educational Assistant Effective September 8, 2022, for personal reasons (last workday September 7, 2022) and Ryan Buffkin- Bus Driver- Effective September 23, 2022, for personal reasons.
A Two-Year Administrative Contract (August 1, 2022- July 31, 2024) was approved for Stacie Newman- Food Service Director/EMIS at CLSII- Step 11- Effective October 6, 2022.
One-Year Limited Contracts (Effective August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023) were approved for:
- Chad Jordan- Custodian- Step 1- Effective September 19, 2022
- Jon Appelfeller- Bus Driver- Step 0- Effective August 1, 2022
- Ali Miller- Educational Assistant- Step 0- Effective September 28, 2022
- Conrad Potvin- Bus Driver- Step 2 (rescind previously approved August 15, 2022)
The board approved the advancement of teacher Laura Bilbrey on the salary schedule for having earned MA+15, effective the 2022-2023 school year.
Technology Student Intern, Jonas Hoffman was approved at a rate of $12 per hour per timesheet not to exceed 15 hours per week during 1st semester high school instruction days per the Director of Information and Technology.
The following individuals were approved for supplemental contracts for the 2022-2023 school year:
Athletic
- Cheer Coach Football Varsity HS- Sage Caughenbaugh 0
- Basketball Coach Girls MS- Zach Johnson 3
- Bowling Coach Boys HS- Barney Sullivan 0
Non-Athletic
- Art Club HS- Jennifer Davis 5
- Auditorium Manager- Myles Bowers 5
- Class Advisor 09 Freshman HS- Andrea Fay 5
- Class Advisor 10 Sophomore HS- Andrea Fay 5
- Class Advisor 11 Junior- Megan Dunfee 0
- Events Manager- Doug Rutan 5
- Events Manager- Doug Rutan 5
- Key Club Advisor HS- Rob Painter 5
- National Honor Society Spanish- Nelly Hughes 5
- Play Director HS- Myles Bowers 5
- Show Choir HS- Michael Dove 5
- Student Council Advisor HS- Megan Dunfee 2
- Teacher Assistant Program Coordinator HS- Nicole Terrill 0
- Yearbook Advisor HS- Mandi Wood 5
- Technology Assistant HS- Joslin Lee
- Testing Coordinator HS Nicole Fuller (1/2)
- Testing Coordinator HS Matt Smith (1/2)
Revised lunch prices for the 2022-2023 school year were approved as follows:
ES Lunch $2.70
MS/HS Lunch $2.95
Reduced Lunch $.40 (rescind previously approved May 16, 2022)
Adult Lunch $3.75 (rescind previously approved May 16, 2022)
ES/MS/HS Breakfast $1.60
ES/MS/HS Reduced Breakfast $.30 (rescind previously approved May 16, 2022)
Extra Milk $.40
Neola Policy Update 41.1- was presented for First Reading and Review
Donations accepted include:
- $300.00 from Bellefontaine Rotary Club to HS Student Government for the purpose of Veteran’s Day breakfast
- $20.00 from the Blackbaud Giving Fund to Benjamin Logan Athletic Booster Club Inc.
- $20.00 from the Blackbaud Giving Fund to Benjamin Logan High School
Volunteer Services approved include Courtney Baker, MS Cross Country Coach
The next Regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 17, 2022, at 6 pm in the Central Office.
