By Mike Sherfy, KnoxPages.com Reporter
FREDERICKTOWN – The Board of Education of Fredericktown Local Schools convened its regular meeting for September 8th. During the brief public participation period, a local parent raised the issue of in-town bus service—particularly for mid-day Kindergarten students but for others as well. She noted also a lack of lit crosswalk signs, school-zone speed limits, and other safety related issues. Superintendent Matt Chrispin appeared to sum up the ideas of several Board members when he placed those matters in terms of other spending priorities for the school district—and noted that some of her concerns were, in fact, on their “Top 10 lists”.
Another local man, who had expected to be approved during the meeting as the new Bowling Coach, noted that his item was not on the agenda. Superintendent Chrispin suggested that they meet after the meeting ended to insure that it made the October agenda.
Treasurer Heather Darnold presented the district’s Permanent Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016. The amounts—totaling $16,003,083.36—were in keeping with the temporary appropriations approved at an earlier meeting.
She noted that August expenses were up due to the purchase of 90 new i-mac computers. These, Superintendent Chrispin pointed out, were a necessary expense because a recent audit of school equipment revealed that 153 computers in use by students and staff last year were more than ten years old. “We bought a lot,” he added, but not enough.” Treasurer Darnold informed the Board that much of the cost of the new computers was actually offset by replacement of recent retirees with lesser-paid teachers and staff members. Supt. Chrispin made clear, however, that candidates were chosen based on their qualifications not based on their low-cost.
Chrispin noted also that he looked forward to the Board’s approval of the most recent batch of new hires—bringing an end to the longest hiring season of his twenty-five year career in education.
He also informed the Board that enrollments were up and that he was in the process of analyzing whether this was due to move-ins, open-enrollments, or other causes.
The Board’s standing committees had few consequential matters to discuss. Members shared information about Ohio’s one-year waiver from “No Child Left Behind” requirements, the local Law Enforcement levy, and the upcoming Tomato Festival.
Board Member Jim Wagner informed his colleagues that Interchurch had issued more than 200 school supply vouchers to students-in-need in the Fredericktown school district.
Middle/High School Principal Doug Potts pointed out that an incident involving students at a football game from Clear Fork and Fredericktown had been largely resolved thanks to the involvement of administrators from both schools and the local police department. A more recent game with Danville had gone by without further difficulties and students and fans from both schools remained well-behaved.
Potts reported also that he had conducted a walk-thru of classes taught by every teacher and that they were in the process of formalizing this year’s Professional Development activities.
Elementary School Principal Miguel Thompson reported that one of the district’s Music Teachers had created a website devoted to the students’ activities, a Running Club had been established to work out on the track from 8-8:20 a.m. three days per week, and that several teachers were vigorously rehearsing for a lip sync performance at this year’s Tomato Festival.
No Student Representatives were in attendance and Principal Potts suggested that, if no volunteers stepped forward before the October meeting, they might be drafted out of their homerooms prior to the next meeting.
The Board accepted a donation of $165 to the High School Mathematics Department from Don Falk.
It approved a block of revisions and new policies relating to Conflicts of Interest, FMLA Leave, the recording of District Meetings Involving Students/Parents, Sexual Violence, Use of District Premises, Emergency Situations at School, Automated External Defibrillators, Food Services, and District Support Organizations. Details on the changes are available on the District’s website.
The Board then went into Executive Session at 6:28 to discuss a matter related to personnel and/or other matters to be kept confidential under federal law. It re-convened into public session roughly an hour later.
The Board approved a salary adjustment for Joseph Kruger in recognition of continuing education and certified the resignation of High School Social Studies Teacher, William Humphrey (retroactive to the end of the 2014-2015 school year).
It approved the hiring of Aaron Brokaw (High School Social Studies Teacher), Heather Brake (Half-Time Gifted-Talented/Intervention Specialist), and Amy Lake (Home Instruction Tutor/Intervention Specialists).
Several individuals had their contracts adjusted. Jennifer McNeill increased her hours from 2 hours per day to 4 hours per day. John Calkins and Ellie Cline both increased their work time from four days per week to five days as part of the 21st Century Grant.
The Board accepted the resignation of PT Utility Custodian, Tom Craze.
It approved the hiring of Daniel Robinson and Stephanie Pierce as Substitute Bus Drivers and of Rebekah Smith as a Substitute Teacher Aide. Kyle Byrne was hired as a PT Grounds Custodian.
Don Lincicome was approved as the Junior Class Advisor.
Several classroom volunteers were approved. These including Jenny Bartsch, Emily Hules, and Louise Dudgeon in the Library; Julie Crothers, Karen Cinningham, Stephanie Drake, Patty Feeney, Kim Franks, Jodi Frazee, Montenique Frazier, Christin Garver, Randy Grimm, Jennifer Humbletone, John Hatfield, Stephanie Levings, Trinia Mullins, Laura Overholt, Jessica Parker, Tammu Partington, Julie Randall, Bernadette Smith, Lisa Smith, Megan Spayde, Jody Tedrow, Audrey VanHouten, and Teresa Woodring in the Elementary School; Nicole Gaddis, Trent Gaddis, Greg Hines, Robin McAllister, and Beth Singrey were approved as Band Volunteers/Chaperones.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Fredericktown School Board is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, in the Administration Board Room in its office on 117 Columbus Road in Fredericktown.
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