Board Meeting

The following Board of Education Members were present:

Mr. Brad Murtiff
Mr. Doug Schiefer
Dr. Paul Johnson
Mr. Adam Stone
Ms. Traci Wetterau

President Murtiff led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Stone reported on the status of H.B. 64, which is the proposed budget bill.  In addition, H.B. 2 which attempts to level the playing field between charter schools and public schools was discussed.

It was discussed that spring sports have started.

The first Athletic Council meeting of spring has taken place, and four proposals were discussed.  Two on athletic trainer services (Avita, and Mohican Sports).  There was no recommendation at this time, going to further discuss these options.

There was discussion on a weightlifting coordinator proposal.  This position has been discussed for a long time, and presently they are weighing the financial impacts of this proposal.

The final proposal was a presentation by Diane Kaple on the prospect of making bowling a Varsity sport.  No recommendation was made, as this needed further evaluation. 

Drug testing fees were discussed, along with pay to play fees.  Both items are on the agenda tonight for discussion.

Bucyrus had twenty three students participate in marketing and media (DECA) competition two students qualified for nationals.

Pioneer hosted their all boards dinner, and the students provided table top demonstrations of their works while attending pioneer.  The meeting was very informative on the benefits to students, and the community.

Pioneer is refunding their bonds, and they were able to maintain their double A rating.  

Dr. Johnson commended Mr. Kimmel on his involvement with Crawford 20/20 and all his efforts to make not only Bucyrus City Schools better, but the entire community.

Dr. Johnson highlighted the expansion of programs like The Leader In Me, and the benefits the can have on the entire community.

OGT's - last of this test have been administrered, outside of make-ups. 

The district will see testing resume the week of April 13th.

Dr. Johnson discussed the Redmen Reader live here signs.    It was emphasized how important reading was in forming critical skills for children. Presently, each child has to log 1,000 minutes of reading to obtain sign, and gets a sticker for sign for each additional 1,000 which indicates how many minutes over they have read.

BES has in place a challege to have students read over 700,000 minutes. 600,000 minutes were eclipsed last Friday the 27th.

If students exceed 700,000 minutes, Mr. Roll and Mr. Souder will spend a day dressed as princesses.

Committee met on March 20th

March 30th is wellness week, and numerous activities are planned.

Elementary field day - walk for the cure will be held May 21st.

Marion Crawford Prevention program is working with elementary kids on drug refusal skills.

Community Counseling services are available to our students.  Community Counseling has been an excellent partner for the district, and continues to offer a tremendous resource for our students.

The backpack program is still working to educate families on the need for their assistance in packing.

The elementary school needs mentors.

Discussed the transition from third to fourth quarter.

Blizzard bags and their impact on students were discussed.

Musical was a very good success.  House was packed.  Mrs. French did a marvelous job and did a great job mentoring.

Prom is fast approaching with the Paris Theme - lots of excitement about.

National Honor Society induction is coming up - application helps prepare students for scholarships, and is a benefit.

Moment of silence for Arlo Brown

Crawford 20/20 Vision dinner - RSVP

Mr. Kimmel discussed the community connectors grant.

Leader in me is one piece - teachers have driven this without Admin. pushing.  Total of grant is $850,000 should know mid-April if successful.

Working on 21st Century grant applications total of $400,000.  We should know in the summer if we are approved.

Looking at calendar for next year and the PD for next year.  SPDG is paying for another PD day in the fall 8.17.15 (calendar revision coming).

District FAC meeting next Tuesday.

Policy updates on the student suicide - going to require some face to face training of staff.  Community counseling is going to assist in the training.

Mr. Kimmel provided an update on the NEOLA policies

It was discussed and approved to waive student fees and course fees for the 2015-2016 school year.

It was discussed to approve drug testing fees as $30.00 for the intial testing, and $28.00 for the random testing fees.

It was discussed and approved to waive pay-to-play/participate fees for the 2015-2016 school year.

The Board of Education recessed into executive session at 9:05 p.m. with the following in attendance:

Mr. Murtiff
Mr. Schiefer
Dr. Johnson
Mr. Stone
Ms. Wetterau
Mr. Kimmel
Mr. Cook