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January Board of Education Meeting Summary
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Benjamin Logan Local School District Board Convenes for 2025 Organizational Meeting
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Elections and Appointments:
- President (Mark Himmeger) and Vice President (Deb Johnson) were re-elected for the 2025 calendar year.
Committee Assignments:
- Building, Grounds & Equipment- Spriggs/Dill
- Curriculum/Technology & Student Achievement Liaison - Johnson/Dill
- Extracurricular- Spriggs/Himmeger
- Finance/Personnel- King/Himmeger
- Legislative/Policy- Johnson/Dill
- Public Relations- Johnson/Dill
- Transportation- King/Spriggs
Designation of Coordinators:
- Title I (Targeted Assistance), Title II-A (Teacher Quality), and Title V (Innovative Programs): Director of Administrative Services (Sally Stolly)
- Special Education and 504 Plans, PART B-IDEA: Special Education Director (Colleen Bodin)
- Title IX: High School Principal (Annette Alatorre)
- Civil Rights Coordinator: Director of Administrative Services (Sally Stolly), EMIS Coordinator (Stacie Newman), and Superintendent (John Scheu)
- e-Tech Ohio and Erate: Director of Information Technology Services (Nic George)
Regular Board meeting schedule: Third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM, with exceptions as noted below:
- January 13, 2025*
- February 24, 2025*
- March 17, 2025
- April 21, 2025
- May 19, 2025
- June 23, 2025*
- July 21, 2025
- August 18, 2025
- September 15, 2025
- October 20, 2025
- November 17, 2025
- December 15, 2025
Financial Management: Establishment of a Service Fund of $5,000 for board member duties and setting board member compensation at $125 per meeting for up to 24 meetings annually.
Legal and Media Relations: The Board decided to retain several law firms, Scott Scriven LLP of Columbus, John Podgurski, Ennis Britton Co., L.P.A., Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP, and designated the Bellefontaine Examiner and WPKO as the official newspaper and radio station, respectively.
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Board of Education continued...
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Board Action Items
- Special Education Model Policies and Procedures (S.B 29 Resolution): The Board unanimously adopted the Special Education Model Policies and Procedures released by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) in December 2024. These policies are to be implemented across the district to enhance the uniformity and quality of special education services.
- A resolution was passed to administer the third-grade assessments in English language arts, English language arts Alternative Assessment for Students with most Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) and Mathematics Alternative Assessment for Students with most Significant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD) in a paper format for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Seniors of the Month: Mia Stahler and Eric Hughes were recognized for their outstanding academic and extracurricular contributions.
BLHS Principal Annette Alatorre shared an update on the Epic Schools Revamp Contest through Jostens. “While Benjamin Logan Schools’ submission was among the Top 3 finalists, Ohio Ethics Commission policies RC 102.03 and vendor-related restrictions ultimately prohibited the acceptance of the prize. Despite significant effort and preparation, the school must maintain compliance and uphold ethical standards. Jostens’ legal team determined Benjamin Logan High School could not officially be announced as the winner due to the above prohibitions.”
Jostens representative stated, “Congratulations to Benjamin Logan High School for being in the top three applicants to the Jostens Epic School Revamp Contest! Jostens was truly impressed by the spirit displayed at the school in both their application and outstanding rally. It is clear that both students and staff take actions that make the school a safe, supportive and vibrant community.”
• BLMS Principal Todd Shadley shared that prior to Christmas break, middle school students completed the winter i-Ready diagnostic. To recognize their efforts, students who demonstrated growth in at least one content area (Math or ELA) were rewarded with a booster bar flavor of their choice as a surprise for their hard work.
• BLES Principal Holly Barr reported that the elementary school implemented a three-tiered reward system for the winter i-Ready diagnostic results:
1. Students who met both i-Ready goals enjoyed hot chocolate with marshmallows and decorated a sugar cookie with icing and sprinkles in the commons.
2. Students who met one i-Ready goal decorated a sugar cookie with icing and sprinkles in the commons.
3. Students who put in effort but did not meet their goals participated in a game room activity.
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Financial Report by Treasurer/CFO
- December 2024 Financial Report: Leah Baker, Treasurer/CFO, presented the financial report, which was approved by the board. This report highlighted the effective management of district funds and financial transparency.
Report of Superintendent/Personnel
Personnel Actions:
- Resignations: Bev Houchin, Head Cook, announced her retirement effective February 28, 2025.
- Employment of Personnel - Deduct Days: Lynette Rostorfer was approved for a half-day deduction on December 17, 2024.
- Employment of Personnel - BL Substitutes: Dale Miller was approved as a Van Driver and Bus Driver for the 2024-2025 school year, contingent upon completion of all employment requirements.
- Employment of Personnel - Advancement on Salary Schedule: Lance Predmore was approved for advancement on the salary schedule due to additional academic hours earned, effective for the 2024-2025 school year. BA/150
- Employment of Personnel - Supplementals: Kelly Gibson was approved on a supplemental contract to lead the Ski Club for the 2024-2025 school year. Step 2
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Superintendent/Administrative Reports
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Superintendent John Scheu provided an update on the district's recent activities and initiatives. January is School Board Recognition Month. The Benjamin Logan school board members are our superheroes in service to our students, schools and community. We thank them! The board members were presented with baseball hats/scarves embroidered with the new Raider logo.
Grants:
- Accepted a $500 Logan County Electric Co-op Energizing Education grant for elementary initiatives (STEM rewards for i-Ready).
- Accepted a $500 Logan County Electric Co-op grant for the "Seats in Motion" project at Benjamin Logan Middle School for flexible seating.
- Accepted a $1,000 "Growing Tomorrow" grant from Farm Credit Mid-America.
- Accepted a $932 grant from The Ohio Arts Council's Big Yellow School Bus program.
Donations:
- A $1,000 donation from an anonymous donor was accepted for district-wide school lunches and fees.
- A $1,000 donation from RWE Clean Energy, LLC was allocated for middle school student needs.
- A $200 gift card from Harbor Freight was received for FFA classroom enhancements.
Other Items/Comments
- Updates via guidance and FFA newsletters and the scheduling of the next board meeting on February 24, 2025. Let’s Talk School in West Mansfield will be held on February 11, 2025 at the Hays Community Center.
Executive Session
- The board entered into an executive session to discuss personnel at 6:56 PM.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for February 24, 2025, at the Benjamin Logan Central Office.
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