At the May 9, 2016 meeting of the Bethel Board of Education (BOE), several residents expressed their concerns during the hearing of the public. Rachel Kiplinger questioned whether the staff really felt valued by the administrators and the BOE despite the work that the PTO did to express appreciation during staff appreciation week. She also questioned the need to establish a Code of Excellence. She said, “The newsletter indicated that administrators, teachers, board members, and business and community members were on the committee to establish the Code. Who were the members that served and how were they chosen?” She also added, “The code seems all stick and no carrot.” Some of the items included are “Report to work acceptable for duty. Comply with justifiable directives issued by lines of authority. And acquire, use, maintain and disposed of District property and resources ethically.” The code includes 12 separate lines items outlining what the committee considers appropriate behavior.
Resident and former board member Scott Lawson expressed his concerns as well. He said, “I object to the Ethical Code. I’m not sure what it is for. The staff already signs a contract and an ethical statement when they are hired. I don’t to waste staff time on stuff like this.”
Lawson also expressed his concerns over safety issues in the school. He asked if the BOE had considered hiring a resource officer. He said, “Have we done anything to increase student safety? The kids matter the most.”
Parent Jessica Peake agreed, “I’ve discussed the issue with a Sheriff’s Deputy. He reported that he has walked into the back of the school in the middle of the night because the door is unlocked.”
Peake also expressed her concern about communications. According to Peake, her son was awarded the Principal’s Scholarship. However, he was never informed that he received the scholarship by the high school principal or any of the staff. To receive the scholarship he had to be present at the awards ceremony to receive it. He found out at the last minute that he had won and had to leave a prom he was attending to rush to the ceremony to receive the scholarship. She said, “He would have lost the scholarship because the principal did not inform him that he had won.”
In the Superintendents report, Superintendent Virginia Potter expressed congratulations to the Bethel Music Department for their performance of Les Miserable. She said, “The students did an outstanding job and I want to thank the community, alumni, parents and business partners who made this production possible.”
She also recognized Dan Elam for his 29 years of service as the Bethel Band Director. Elam is retiring at the end of the school year.
In addition, she announced that the school has three openings for the 2016-2017 school year including a Facilities Maintenance Manager, Elementary Teacher and a Media Specialist.
For the building project, Owner’s Representative Joe Hackleroad reported that due to the mild winter the school construction project is on schedule. Shook began pouring the floors in March and expect to pour the floor for the stage in the cafetorium in the next few days. The roofers are staging materials to begin the roofing and survey pins are in place for the road-widening project. According to Hackleroad, the crews plan to have the road-widening project completed before the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
In addition, Hackleroad reported that the budget for the project is in good shape. At this point, the project has only required $25,496 in change orders to cover unanticipated costs.
In BOE action items, the Board approved a request from Sharon Miller for $500 to purchase books for High School/Middle School Library Books. They also approved a request by Heather Balkcom for $3559 to purchase an Elementary Wilson Reading Program. Balkcom reported that the program has been used successfully to assist students with dyslexia improve their reading. She said that 90% of the students who participated in the program experienced more than 10% growth in their reading skills during the six months the program has been in place. The average for student growth ranges between 7 to 9% per year.
In preparation for the 2016-2017 school year, the board approved contracts for staff including certified, classified, and coaching staff.
In addition, the Bethel BOE approved a new three-year contract for Virginia Potter, as Superintendent of Bethel Local Schools. Kiplinger questioned why the contract was renewed early since Potter’s current contract does not expire until the end of 2017.
The Board also approved the issuance of diplomas to 76 students who have completed or will complete all requirements of the Bethel Local School District Board of Education and the State of Ohio for graduation from Bethel High School.
In addition, The BOE authorized 2016-2017 membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
They also approved contracts with SOITA to provide professional development for teachers for the 2016-2017 school year and the Public School Works contract.
The next meeting of the Bethel BOE is scheduled for June 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the school auditorium.
