Thursday’s Board of Education meeting was full of information, including a policy update, a few honors for students and teachers, the five-year forecast and an update on the Armed-Shooter Response Team.
The Board changed the wording in board policy 5517.01 on the heels of its change to 5517 at the last board meeting. The second sentence of the policy now states: “Harassment, intimidation, or bullying toward a student for any reason, including their sexual orientation, gender identity, or membership in any other population or group, whether by other students, staff or third parties is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.” It was the only change to the policy. The addition of the language fulfilled the motion the board made at the April 27 meeting to clarify its intent with board policy 5517 and 5517.01.
Board Vice President Audra Dorn met with members of the Gay/Straight Alliance as well as the teachers union in the last two weeks, stating “I was very proud of the work we were able to do. I want to commend not just those students, but a lot of the students who came and spoke very passionately and respectfully. I think what this is saying to our students is that civic engagement matters, coming and making your voice heard matters, reaching out to us matters and we do listen and we will sit down and work with you.”
The board also heard from Transportation Coordinator Lori Smith on the possible purchase of cameras to be added to the bus fleet in an effort to catch drivers who do not abide by the law and pass a bus with its flashers on in order to keep our bus riders safe.
Le
WahlThe board honored the high school Valedictorians and Salutatorian for the Class of 2023. Daphne Le and Julia Wahl were named Valedictorians for the Class of 2023, and Josh Sahlbom was named the Salutatorian.
Daphne, the daughter of Vu Le and Vy Nguyen, plans to pursue Pre-Med at Otterbein. Julia, the daughter of Gregory and Emma Wahl, plans to study Finance and Math after graduation. Josh, the son of Angie and John Sahlbom, plans to study Engineering at the University of Cincinnati.
The Board also honored several retirees: Susan Campbell, Intervention Specialist (23 years); 
SahlbomLisa Dorn,
Intervention Specialist (16 years); Jeff Eckley, Principal (26 years); Sarah Henderson, Kindergarten (34 years); Johnnie Roberts, Custodian (30 years); Susan Seela, 4th Grade/Gifted (25 years); Deborah Sharrett, Reading (33 years); Alisa Tackett, Life/Career (GCCC, 29 years); Eva Woeste, Special Needs Assistant (22 years).
The Board also recognized the unprecedented service record of Belynda Frieden, who has served many roles with the district but most notably with the transportation department as a Bus Driver for 50 years.
Additional recognition included highlighting Communications Coordinator Henry S. Conte. He received four awards from OHSPRA (Ohio School Public Relations Association) for his work on The Bridge, Eagle Eggs, “Cereal Box Dominoes” video in conjunction with Kathy Barlow and Sasha Taylor at Bell Creek Intermediate, and an article “A Seat at the Table.”
The board went into executive session to discuss matters pertaining to the Armed Shooter Response Team. When it came out of Executive Session, it approved a resolution to appoint certain members of the District’s Active Shooter Response Team, authorizing those individuals to have access to, and possess a deadly weapon or ordnance in a school safety zone.
You can find the resolution in its entirety by clicking here.
Treasurer Kevin Liming gave his bi-annual 5-year Forecast. Liming said that while his forecast is conservative in terms of expecting what money will come into the district (revenue) and what will be spent (expenditure) he was happy to say the district is in solid shape financially.
The forecast can be found by clicking here.