On January 11, 2016, the Bethel Board of Education (BOE) conducted two meetings to launch the new year. In the first organizational meeting, the BOE initiated the meeting by welcoming the two newly elected members. Lori Sebastian and Todd Wright were administered their oath of office by Karen Newman, School Treasurer.
In addition, the BOE elected Scott Hawthorn to serve as President and Brian Moore to serve as vice-president for the calendar year 2016. The board members also set the day and time for their regular board meetings for the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Furthermore, if work sessions are needed, the BOE established the fourth Thursday at 5:00 p.m. to meet.
The board also addressed two financial issues for the BOE members. First, each board member will earn $125 per meeting for a maximum of twelve meetings per year. Second, the Bethel BOE approved $20,000 from the General Fund as a Service Fund to pay expenses any board member incur in the performance of his or her duties.
The Bethel BOE began the second meeting by recognizing the Board Members for their service to the district. Scott Lawson and Michael van Haaren, whose terms expired at the end of 2015, were each recognized for four years of service. The remaining board members were recognized as well for their service to the community, Brian Moore, two years, Scott Hawthorn, six years and Joe Solch, eleven years.
For the highlighted program, Virginia Potter, Superintendent, asked the High School Principal, Craig Vasil to provide highlights of his program. Vasil reported that the high school staff is evaluating six different areas at this time to ensure that the education provided to the high school students is the best the district can offer. These include additional advance placement courses in Language and Composition, Computer Science and an Art Studio. Second, the staff is working to expand 21st Century Leaning Skills by expanding the Business Program, incorporating shared instruction, and creating combines classes. Third, the staff is evaluating the current GPA system to align it with other districts systems to ensure that Bethel graduates are completive with other high school students for graduation and college entrance. In addition, they are looking at the student handbook and course of student, online state assessment preparedness, and expanded dual enrollment opportunities.
In the superintendents report, Potter reported that the district is already working on class scheduling for 2016-2017. In addition, she reported that the state and federal governments are working on two initiatives that will potentially affect instruction for next year. First, the state is drafting Technology Leaning Standards for the coming year. Moreover, the No Child Left Behind mandate is being rewritten establishing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Potter pointed out that the new standards appear to be more flexible and eliminate some of the standardized testing. However, she cautioned, “I really won’t know how it will affect us until I see it in writing.”
For Transportation, Potter reported that the insurance company totaled the bus that was involved in the traffic accident in December. Although the bus mechanic said the bus could be repaired, the insurance company was not willing to put the 2000 bus back on the street. The bus was one of the backups; however, Potter is working to purchase a replacement. In addition, the district must now cover five new streets that recently opened because of the Northtowne Apartment Complex.
In the Owner’s Representative Report, Joe Hackleroad reported that the construction project has made good progress so far because of the mild December. However, with the winter weather settling in, progress will slow and building will continue as the weather permits.
For the Treasurer, the BOE passed a resolution approving the alternate tax document filed with the Budget Commission of Miami County, Ohio. They also approved appropriations of $979 from Mindy Gatrelll for High School/Middle School Science Lab Quest and $1906 from Heather Balkcom for the Elementary Reading Program.
For the Superintendant, the BOE appointed Virginia D. Potter, Superintendent, as the Purchasing Agent for Bethel Local. In addition, they appointed the following board members to serve on standing committees for 2016, Scott Hawthorn, OSBA Legislative Liaison, Todd Wright, Athletic Council, Joe Solch, Curriculum & Instruction: Brian Moore, Technology, and Lori Sebastian CTC & Grant Writing
They also approved the employment the following individuals as Classified Substitutes for the 2015-2016 School Year, Kevin Reck, effective December 17, 2015 and Cindy Floyd. In other personnel issues, they approved unpaid leaves of absence for Bob Hamlin effective December 4, 2015 and Elaine Koeing effective February 29-March 1, 2016.
The next meeting of the Bethel BOE is scheduled for February 8, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Elementary School Auditorium.
