According to discussion at the monthly Northwestern Board of Education (BOE) meeting, it looks like the district will soon be finalizing its building projects.
The monthly BOE meeting took place on April 21, 2016 in the Northwestern Elementary Library. All BOE members, District Superintendent Jesse Steiner, and District Treasurer Dave Bollheimer were present. Serving as BOE President is Ms. Pamela Marton.
The BOE meeting opened with an update from Principal Lori Swafford about the Northwestern Jr/Sr High School and a short performance by the Northwestern Show Choir. The show choir is preparing for the district’s “Spring Fever” talent show that will be held on April 27 at 7:00pm in the High School cafeteria. The public is invited to attend the show.
After months of working with contractors and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) to complete Northwestern’s outstanding building projects, authority was granted to the district’s administration to formally seek bids to finish those projects. The parking lot is to be retro-fitted with energy-efficient lighting and boilers will be added to the heating system. A walkway/bridge between the school buildings will be constructed, and berms will be added to protect the campus roadways. All monies funding the completion of the building projects were previously paid into the original project fund; no new monies will be used to complete the projects.
Also concerning the building projects, authority was granted to enter into a contract with Ryan Hillard for engineering/survey services in relation to the berm design ($5,800.00) and the design for a walkway between the school buildings ($22,500.00).
The BOE voted to approve a contract with the Miami Valley Educational Computer Association (MVECA) for SunGard financial and human resources software, effective July 1, 2016. The MVCA is one of 23 Information Technology Centers licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and serves over 24 Ohio school districts.
Several overnight student field trips were approved. The trips include travel to the FCCLA State Competition from April 28-29; the annual eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. in November; and FFA trips to the National FFA Convention in October and Camp Muskingum in July.
Citing the impracticality of bussing students who live over a half hour away from school, a waiver of transportation was authorized for Adam Cyphers. Instead of transporting Cyphers, the district will reimburse his parents the state’s average cost to transport one student.
The Northwestern BOE also approved a long list of new employees and contract renewals, including those for a large number of teachers and several administrative/supervisory positions. A complete list of these approved positions can be found on the under the “Board” tab on the district’s website at http://www.northwestern.k12.oh.us/.
The BOE also accepted the resignations of employees David Snell and Tina Rose.
The meeting closed with an announcement that the annual Northwestern Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be held on May 4.
The public is invited to a special, Town Hall-style BOE meeting on May 18, 2016 to discuss any questions or concerns surrounding the OSFC close-out, the school buildings, and the district’s next steps. A regular BOE business meeting will take place on May 19, 2016. Both meetings will be held at 6:00pm in the Elementary School’s library.
For more information about the Northwestern BOE or the Northwestern Local School District, contact the office at 937-964-1318 or visit the district’s website at http://www.northwestern.k12.oh.us/.
