At the June 13, 2016 meeting of the Bethel Board of Education (BOE), Owner’s Representative Joe Hackleroad presented a proposed to the BOE for to remodel the existing bus barn, which would eliminate the need to traverse the elementary playground for buses to access the current facility during the school day. The proposed plan would involve the construction of an addition on the north side of the existing structure made from pre-engineered steel. The addition would have three 18-foot wide bays. In addition, modifications would be made to the existing interior to improve storage and facility use.
Hackleroad estimated that the proposed plan would cost approximately $400,000 for the design, material, and labor of the addition. He said, “The other plans proposed would cost at least twice as much.” He should have a final contract available for approval at the July meeting.
The Bethel BOE approved proceeding with the next phase of the proposed bus barn construction, which includes a preapproved purchasing plan from the National Joint Power Alliance.
In addition, Hackleroad updated the Bethel BOE on the construction project. According to Hackleroad, progress is moving quickly. The floors are all poured and the brickwork and roof have been started. The road widening is on schedule to be completed by the end of the summer. Hackleroad also noted that although the furniture and playground equipment have not been bid, the estimated cost for the total project is currently $21 million, a million less than the $22 million available for the project.
In other reports, Superintendent Virginia Potter announced that Bethel Schools received a 2015 Momentum Award from the State Board of Education. The award recognizes schools for exceeding expectations in student growth for the year. Schools must earn straight A’s on all Value-Added measures on the report card. In addition, the school or district must have at least two Value-Added subgroups of students, including gifted, lowest 20% in achievement, and students with disabilities. Potter said, “This is a great honor and shows the quality of staff and teachers of the Bethel Teachers.”
Potter also announced that the fees for the elementary school for 2016-2017 school year for the elementary school students would be capped at $40 and for middle school students at $60. She requested that the board pickup the charge for any costs over these figures.
In addition, Potter announced that the district is still looking to hire a HS Music Teacher, a 2nd or Kindergarten Teacher and a Library Media Center Teacher. PR Frank has been hired as the HS Computer Technology Teacher.
Elementary Principal Jodi Petty announced that the K-5 Students who participated in the Read-A-Thon raised over $8,000 in sponsorships. She said, “This is the best fund raising project we have ever had.”
High School Principal Craig Vasil announced that the updated high school course of study is complete. Several new classes have been added including two new technology classes including Code/Skool and Re[design]IT in cooperation with Sinclair. In addition, Debate and Shark Tank will be available to students next year. He said, “Students can earn up to 48 college semester hours at Bethel through cooperative programs with Sinclair and Urbana.
He also said that Summer School classes are available through Edgenuity for students who need to make up a class or are interested in accruing additional credits over the summer. On June 22, 2016, he will be available for students who need to change their schedules before the start on the 2016-2017 school year.
During the hearing of the public, several residents spoke to the BOE. Resident Scott Lawson complemented the administrators and staff on enticing all of the teachers to attend graduation. He said, “When students are sitting on the stage, they are looking around thinking about all the great things that the teachers made happen in their lives.”
He also expressed his concerns that the district is losing great teachers who have been successful because they are being moved into other positions just for the sake of moving them.
Lawson also requested that the BOE rethink upgrading the current baseball field at a cost of $70,000. He said, “We can rent the field in New Carlisle for $2500 per year. Over ten years, we would only spend $25,000. Whatever repairs we would made to the current field would not last ten years. We would be money ahead.”
He also requested that the BOE consider printing salary information for employees in the agenda for the sake of transparency.
Rachel Kiplinger echoed his sentiment. She requested that all fees and policy changes be included along with the salary information in the board agenda. She also asked, “How much money are we spending of substitutes for the 21st Century Program. Other districts have found that the program is not effective and has resulting in graduating ineffective learners.” She also requested the BOE of education consider hiring a School Resource Officer.
In regular business, the Bethel Board of Education approved a resolution: authorizing the purchase of competitive retail electric service from the lowest responsible bid submitted to Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council for the period commencing June of 2017 and terminating no later than May 2020. The resolution replaces the expiring resolution that aggregates the purchasing of electrical services from DPL at a lower rate for the school. The resolution allows the school to take advantage of economies of scale when purchasing essential products and services.
The Bethel BOE also approved the temporary appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017. The appropriations include$985,000.00 to the General Fund, $20,000.00 for Food Service, $55,000.00 for Emergency, $20,000.00 for Principal’s Fund, $2,596.for Unclaimed Funds, and $7,500.00 for Student Activities.
To prepare for the 2016-2017 staffing needs, the BOE approved for contracts for a number of certified and classified staff.
In addition, the Bethel BOE approved the Elementary, Middle School, and High School Handbooks for the 2016-2017 School Year.
They also approved the purchase of the Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt “Science Fusion” series for grades 4-8 and Pearson series for High School with resources and materials at a cost of approximately $123,000.
The next meeting of the Bethel BOE is scheduled for July 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the school auditorium.
