The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday evening.
At the end of the meeting, a public participation session was held.
Several parents and guardians were in attendance.
It was expressed by parents/guardians that their children, who attend the school district, are facing racial discrimination and bullying from other students.
The board thanked each speaker for sharing their thoughts and assured them that this issue was of priority and that changes would be made immediately.
The board discussed the Permanent Improvement Levy, for 1.5 mills, which is up for a five-year renewal this year.
Typically, it’s been renewed every five years. The levy has been renewed and in effect since 1988.
There was a discussion during last month’s meeting about possibly turning it into a continuing levy, instead of a five-year term, since it’s been on the ballot for as long as it has from the ’80s.
Two options were presented to the board for approval.
The first option was to do a five-year term which has typically been done on the Permanent Improvement Levy.
The second option would be the continuing term so that the levy would continue on.
The board approved to proceed with the renewal of the Permanent Improvement Levy with a continuing term and not a five-year term from 2025-2029.
Superintendent Kraig Hissong explains the renewal of the Permanent Improvement Levy on a continuing term:
The district received a 4.5-star rating from the Ohio School Report Card.
Hissong explains West Liberty-Salem’s report card rating of 4.5 stars, performance index increase, and continuous improvement initiatives:
This week is Homecoming Week.
Thursday, the Homecoming Parade will start at 6:30 p.m.
A community bonfire will immediately follow at Lions Park.
Friday, a school pep rally will be held for all students at 2:15 p.m.
That evening, the Homecoming Ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Tiger Stadium, where the court, attendants, and their escorts will be introduced on the field.
The queen and king will be announced just before the football game.
The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday at West Liberty-Salem High School from 7-10 p.m.
Hissong comments on what this week of Homecoming entails:
West Liberty-Salem staff donated funds for care packages to the staff of Northwestern Elementary School, and they will be delivered on Thursday.
As reported last month, Northwestern had a tragic fatality bus accident that took the life of one elementary student.
The board went on to approve several items:
- Mike Louden to be added as a Resident Educator for the 2023/2024 school year and provided Jess Haney, mentor, up to $500.00 to work with Louden
- Bus routes for the 2023-2024 school year and authorized changes to be made to bus routes as needed throughout the school year
- Bus Evacuations and preschool-5th grade Cross Over Training in accordance with the Ohio Pupil Transportation Operation and Safety Rules
- Teresa Stokes (Bus and Van Driver) and Jill Brunke (Van Driver) are to be added to the Substitute Bus and/or Van Driver list for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year having met all requirements
- Members of the District and Building Leadership Teams to receive $23.00 for meetings held outside contracted days and hours for the 2023-2024 school year
- 2023-2024 Booklist
- Laurie Park’s resignation for purposes of retirement (22 years of service). Her last day as a food service worker will be on November 30, 2023
- Shawn Jarzab as a tutor for the 2023-2024 school year at the current negotiated rate of $23.00/hour
- The addition and/or restructuring of current supplemental contract positions effective for the 2023-2024 school year
- Addition: Elementary Yearbook (Level 8)
- Restructured: Split the current MS Yearbook/Student Council (Level 8) supplemental position into two separate positions; MS Yearbook (Level 8) and MS Student Council (Level 8)
- Dr. Lou Kramer as the volunteer varsity swim coach of Team Champ and the West Liberty-Salem Varsity Swim Team for the 2023-2024 school year based on requirements being met
- Judy Legge as a school volunteer for the 2023-2024 school year based on requirements being met
The following certified WL-S individuals for the 2023-2024 school year were approved, providing all requirements are met:
- Jenny Blair, Head Varsity Softball
- Dan Robb, Fall Weight Room Supervisor
- Darrin Leichty, Head Varsity Boys Basketball
- Sean Stormes, Head Varsity Baseball
- Mike Louden, JV Boys Basketball
The following non-certified, non-WL-S individuals were approved for the 2023-2024 school year providing all requirements are met:
- Braden Miller, MS Boys Basketball (Grade 8)
- Andy Hartshorn, Head Varsity Wrestling
- Doug McIntosh, MS Girls Basketball (Grade 7)
- Dennis McIntosh, Head Varsity Girls Basketball
- Larry Searles, Head Varsity Boys Bowling
- Mandy Lauck, MS Girls Basketball (Grade 8)
- Ben Yeater, Assistant Boys Varsity Soccer
The BOE concluded the public portion of the meeting and went into executive session.
The next regularly scheduled West Liberty-Salem Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at 6 p.m.
