Five Tecumseh Middle School (TMS) students opened the April meeting of the Tecumseh Board of Education (BOE) on April 26, 2016 in Tecumseh High School’s Arrow Conference Room. All BOE members were present.

Tecumseh sixth graders Francisco Arevalos, Jeremiah Fowler, Ryan Gess, Tehya Ward, and Nick Wile spoke to the BOE about their experiences in the “Adolescent Skills” class that was reinstated at TMS this year. All sixth graders are required to take the class. According to teacher, Ms. Diane Thomas, some of the skills learn are conflict and anger management, decision-making, goal-setting, and how to communicate more effectively. Students are encouraged to “Make all situations positive.” Fowler presented a poster titled “Window of My Future,” saying he appreciates how the class inspires him to use his creativity in thinking about his future, “I used creativity to show designs of what I want in my future. I have an Architect, Game Design, University of Miami Florida, and a Family because that’s what I want when I grow up.”

Also speaking was Guidance Counselor, Ms. Suzanne Massie. Massie is the handler of Maui, a therapy dog used in the Adolescent Skills class. According to Massie, by interacting with Maui, students learn non-verbal skills. Maui also helps draw shy students out of their shell and helps children calm down when they are upset. “Maui has been a huge help for the students,” says Massie.

Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center (CTC) District Representative, Mr. Gary Cochran, reported that many of Tecumseh’s CTC students have recently won awards from contests they have been taking part in as CTC students. “The number of awards CTC students have been winning show the caliber of instruction Tecumseh’s students are receiving,” says Cochran.

TMS Media Specialist, Ms. Lisa Minna, provided a proposal to the BOE about the creation of an “outdoor classroom” on campus for both school and community use. According to Minna, an outdoor learning space would broaden the number of learning opportunities for science and other classes. The space would be maintained by volunteers at no cost to the district.

The BOE adopted a resolution to join other school districts in recognizing and thanking teachers by designating May 2-6, 2016 as “Teacher Appreciation Week.”

BOE members voted to extend Assistant Superintendent Paula Crew’s contract through July 31, 2018. Mr. Nathan Matthews was accepted for the position of THS varsity Volleyball Coach. The BOE also approved Ms. Helen Mullins, Ms. Debra Hall-Brandt, and Ms. Anna Naff for retirement at the end of the current school year.

Mr. David (Ross) Loudenback will be serving as the 2016 Migrant Summer School Principal. The Migrant Summer School is a voluntary, fully federally-funded summer school program that serves the children of local migrant workers. There is no cost to the district. The 2016 session runs from June 16 through July 28 and will serve 53 local students and 12 students from Tipp City, according to Director of Special Education, Ms. Susan Wile.

Mr. Derek Hord, Ms. Sheli Randall, and Mr. Mike Mastin were hired for positions in Tecumseh’s 2016 High School Summer School Physical Education program. The program serves approximately 100 students. The 2016 session costs $150.00 per student and will run from June 6-17.

Approval was given for a variety of Arrow Football and Basketball Camps to take place this summer. The camps will serve students in grades 2-12. Costs vary by camp.

The financial reports presented by District Treasurer, Debra Schock, were approved. Schock also announced that the district’s financial reports are being made available online and in a new format to offer greater transparency to the district’s residents. The reports can be found on the Tecumseh Local Schools website under the “District” tab.

District Superintendent Norm Glismann reported the state-mandated testing was complete, commending Assistant Superintendent Paula Crew for her work in making sure the testing went smoothly.

The BOE was also informed of a number of upcoming events:

The AFJROTC Awards are May 6 at 6:30pm. The TMS Band Concert is May 10 at 7:00pm and the TMS Choir Concert is May 12 at 7:00pm. The THS Choir Concert is May 17 at 7:00pm and the THS Band Concert is May 19 at 7:00pm. The THS Senior Awards Night will take place on May 18 at 7:00pm.

Tecumseh Kindergarten Assessments will take place May 19-20 at Park Layne

THS student Sean Collins’ Senior Production, “The 39 Steps” will take place on May 5, 7, and 8 at Tecumseh High School. The production is doubling as Collin’s Eagle Scout project. Audience members attending the May 5 performance may bring non-perishable food items in exchange for a seat. All items will be donated to a local food pantry. Ticket prices to see the comedy are $5.00.

The next Tecumseh BOE meeting is May 24, 2016 at 7:00pm in the THS Arrow Conference Room.