The five-year budget forecast for Tecumseh Local Schools, reactions to the recent bomb threats at Tecumseh High School, and a re-vamping of the Family & Consumer Science curriculum topped the items of business at the Tecumseh Local Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in Tecumseh High School’s Arrow Conference Center.
Tecumseh Local Schools Treasurer, Debra Schock, presented school board members with a detailed look at the district’s five-year budget plan. Schock stressed that the budget forecast is a “living document” and can change depending upon payroll, insurance premiums, building maintenance, and other unforeseen financial needs that may arise within the district. Schock showed board members the district is operating within its current budget. Looking ahead, Schock said a levy renewal will come before voters in 2017 and, if passed, will continue providing the monies necessary to serve the district’s students in the best way possible.
Family & Consumer Science (FCS) teachers, Karin Lynch and Jean Karn presented work they did to update the high school’s FCS curriculum. According to Lynch and Karn, the goal of FCS curriculum is to “get students college and career-ready and to prepare them for other real-world experiences.” To reflect that goal, the new FCS curriculum will focus on financial and economic skills, health literacy, critical thinking, and other skills needed after high school. As a result of the FCS teachers’ work, twelve new FCS classes will start being offered at the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
Board of Education members discussed the recent bomb threats at Tecumseh High School (THS). High school staff was commended for their quick response in getting students to safety while students were particularly recognized for the orderliness and cooperation they exhibited. Concerns expressed by parents about communication following the threats were discussed. A parent attending the meeting suggested a re-vamp of the all-call system might be helpful since only the primary number provided to the school at the beginning of the year is called. However, the parent also commented that “few things can compete with a 16 year-old and a cell phone.”
Superintendent Norm Gismann asked board members to adopt a proclamation naming the week of Nov. 16-20 as “American Education Week.” The week will be used to raise awareness of how community members can contribute their time and talents to support local students and schools.
Other meeting business included: discussion of the potential use of a local public relations firm to help increase community awareness of district news and activities, Board members’ attendance at the upcoming Ohio Board of Education Association’s Capital Conference in Columbus from Nov. 8-11, the employment of new personnel, and the upcoming Veterans Day programs happening throughout the district.
The next regular Board of Education meeting is Nov. 17, 2015 at 7:00 in the Arrow Conference Center at Tecumseh High School. A special joint meeting of the School Board with township and city council officials will happen on Nov. 30, 2015 at 6:30 pm, also in the Arrow Conference Center. All Board of Education meetings are open to the public. For more information call 937-845-3576 or go to http://www.tecumseh.k12.oh.us/.