WL-S Board of Education Talks Levy Renewal; Other Topics

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By: Alli Harlan

The West Liberty Salem Board of Education met in a regular meeting on Wednesday night.

The meeting started with principal and superintendent updates.

In Elementary, they highlighted the annual Literacy Night that will be held on March 7th at 5 p.m.

Students of the Month were recognized for Middle School.

In High School, students from a Trivia Group, FFA members, and Art students were spotlighted as they recently brought success in many areas of their performances.

Also in High School, there will be an update on the handbook that determines the tie breaker if there are too many students to receive the Governors Merit Scholarship from the state.

This tie can be broken by the ACT scores, College Credit Plus credits, and financial need.

Also, a new College Credit Plus course, “Basic of Nutrition” from Edison State will be available to High School students.

Lastly, the Science Olympiad Invitational will be this Saturday at West Liberty-Salem, bringing in students from all around Ohio.

Superintendent Kraig Hissong said that the HVAC system has been functioning normally. There was concern earlier in the year.

He also mentioned that K-5 teachers are currently reviewing math curriculum material for adoption consideration. A proposal will be available no later than May.

In January, it was Board Appreciation Month. All board members received a certificate from the OSBA.

Hissong also talked about the school being on the upcoming ballot in March:

He closed his report by mentioning that the students may see an increase in school lunch prices by next year due to inflation.

The board went on to accept the following administrative items:

  • Master agreement between the West Liberty-Salem Board of Education and the West Liberty-Salem Education Association/OEA-NEA from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
  • Non-certified, non-WL-S individuals for supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.
  • Certified, non-WL-S individuals for supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.
  • Certified, WL-S individual supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year. 2024-2025 Course Selection Handbook, includes high school course fees.
  • Lyndsey Bumbalough as a Paraprofessional on a 2-year contract.
  • 1st Semester Harassment/Intimidation Report.
  • Chaperones for the April 24-26, 2024, 8th-grade trip to Washington, DC.
  • Installation of an irrigation system to be on the practice field by Rain One, the sum of over $21,000.00.
  • Resignation of Kelvin Wilkins for retirement at the end of his June 30, 2024 contract.

Advertise a Bid Package for a new fully digital, power-over-ethernet, public address, and bell system. The system would include:

  • Overhead Paging System
  • Classroom Intercom Paging System
  • Classroom Panic Button
  • VoIP Phone Integration
  • School Bell System
  • Wireless Microphone System Capable
  • Power-over-ethernet solution
  • Web-based and/or Phone App controls
  • All insulation including ethernet cable runs

Hissong talks about what this project might look like:

  • Resolution between West Liberty-Salem Local School District and the Ohio High School Athletic Association
  • Christian Herron as a volunteer chaperone on all trips and routes
  • Non-certified, WL-S individual for supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year
  • Volunteer coaches
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the creation of a Supplemental Contract Salary Committee
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the District’s Online Day Plan
  • Overnight trip for 2024 Band Camp

On the Treasurer’s Section, the following was approved:

  • Minutes of the Annual Organizational and Specails Meeting in 2024
  • Donations
  • Fund to Fund Transfer
  • Grant Appropriation increases/decreases to new & existing grant accounts for budget accounts and revenue accounts
  • Appropriation increase and modification and revenue projections, FFA increasing by $12,000
  • Monthly Financial Reports

An open discussion took place where Hissong talked about a SOCHE Internship Program that the board plans to look into.

The internship would be throughout the summer. Students participating would be required to complete 200 hours of paid internship work.

SOCHE is a granted program, where they take care of paying the student.

Hissong then discussed that Garmann Miller (Criteria Architect Engineer) will be in the process of getting detailed information on the athletic facility.

Next, he talked about how bus driver’s routes could be improved from the system called ‘WayFinder.’

This program can install a GPS service into buses.

It can also provide a route map, take student’s attendance, and check pre-trip inspections.

The board plans to research this more before purchasing.

Next, drug testing policies were reviewed.

The board is brainstorming ideas for a board retreat during the summer to develop goals and visions before the 2024-2025 school year.

It was finalized that West Liberty-Salem Schools will not be a place to watch the Total Solar Eclipse.

If you would like to attend the next school board meeting, you can go on March 20, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the HS/MS Media Center.