The Benjamin Logan Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening, where they officially hired Annette Ramga-Alatorre as the new high school principal.
As a former administrator and teacher, Ramga-Alatorre is excited to serve the community and engage in local life. Having grown up in Auglaize County but worked in Detroit, Michigan in recent years, she sees the move to Benjamin Logan as an opportunity to return to her rural roots. Here she is on becoming the new high school principal:
Ramga-Alatorre will begin at Step 7 as part of a three-year limited contract.
Also hired at the meeting were Educational Assistant Kaleigh Saylor, Step 2, and Bus Driver Brenda Mitchell, Step 4.
Additionally, to address safety concerns, the board approved asphalt bids as presented in the Urgent Necessity Resolution. A special board meeting will be held on July 31st at 6:00 pm to award the bids.
Board members then appointed Karen Dill as the delegate and Mark Himmeger as the alternate delegate for the 2023 Ohio School Boards Association Annual Business Meeting.
The board also:
- Approved Payment-in-lieu of Transportation as presented in the agenda, for the purpose of limiting impractical distances in bussing
- Affirmed the purchase of awards and events for expenses incurred out of the general fund
- Approved the June 2023 Finance Report and other Financial Items presented
- Approved individuals for College Credit Plus stipends as per the Negotiated Agreement
- Accepted the step adjustment for the head elementary cook, Rhonda Cook: now to Step 15
- Approved supplemental contracts for the JV High School Boys Basketball Coach, Joel Phillips, at Step 3; High School Cheerleading Coach, Maxine Trout, at Step 0; and High School Football Coach Assistant, Aaron Myers, at Step 0
- Accepted volunteer services from High School Football Cheer Coach, Ashley Shields
- Approved policy updates for Policy 0164 Notice of Meetings and 5610.05 Prohibition From Extra-Curricular Activities
In the Treasurer’s Report, it was shared that the school is bussing more students and traveling more miles than two years prior. On average, it transports an additional 160 students a day, despite there being no significant increases in enrollment.
In the Superintendent’s Report, the board reflected on the 20 volunteer employees now eligible for its Response Team. Superintendent John Scheu then stated that the schools had recently undergone significant building enhancements to improve security.
The board also discussed state testing results, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on learning, and how to ensure students make their grade level.
Stacie Newman shared a Cafeteria Review. As Benjamin Logan participates in the National School Lunch Program, students on free and reduced lunch will begin to receive free lunches either this school year or the next.
New menu options, a new dishwasher for the elementary, freezer work for the middle school, and food funding were also discussed.
The board then approved the following revised lunch prices for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Elementary School Lunch: $2.95
- Middle/High School Lunch: $3.20
- Reduced Lunch: $0.40
- Adult Lunch: $3.50
- Elementary/Middle/High School Breakfast: $1.85
- Elementary/Middle/High School Reduced Breakfast: $0.30
- Extra Milk: $0.50
À la carte items are available in each building.
During audience participation, Sam Wall shared concerns about the use of fire alarms to evacuate the building for drug searches. Wall believes that this tactic is outside the purposes of the fire alarm.
A special board meeting will be held on July 31st at 6 PM will be held to award an asphalt bid.
The next regular Benjamin Logan school board meeting will be held on August 21st.
