The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education met on Tuesday 17th, 2020.
The board was given an update from Principal Aaron Hollar and Assistant Principal Andy McGill. Students were given a reminder that they should continue doing the assignments that were given to them by their teachers during this first week away from school. During the second week they do not have to do anything as it will be Spring Break. The students and parents should be on the look out for updates for week three and what will be assigned to the students. The staff will be using the SeeSaw app to communicate about assignments, meal delivery, and any other pertinent information. Parents should try to dedicate two hours of the day to academics so that their child is able to both learn the required information and to stay on top of the work. For the meal delivery, if parents would like to have meals delivered they will have to call the school to place an order so that the bus drivers may deliver it. The staff will continue to assist families in trouble shooting for devises as well as getting WIFI access points so that they are able to receive all needed information.
Middle and high school Principal Greg Johnson also have an update. Students should have been given information about their assignments and projects during the last Friday session. They will continue to carry on their studies as normal and during the first week there is an emphasis for both students and teachers to form strong communication lines so that if issues and questions arise they will not have a way to contact one another. The second week is Spring Break so students will not have any work to do during that time. The third week will continue with the scheduled plans and lessons teachers will create, and once again it is encouraged that strong communication continues during this time.
Because the high school has adopted a ‘1 to 1’ policy with students having their own technology to take home, the vast majority of students have an easy way to access all needed information and programs that they will need to do the required work. Teachers will also be equipped with laptops to have an easier time implementing lessons and course work into the system to have the smoothest work flow. The middle school students will need some additional support as they have not been fully equipped with technology that they could take home, so both students and teachers are receiving assistance to be able to once again have the most effective strategy going forward. As a precaution, all middle school students had a one on one with the teachers to test and see if they were able to access their given emails so that they could check them during this time. The school will be doing its best to provide methods of internet access to those who do not have it or their connection is spotty.
As a reminder, West Liberty-Salem has begun delivering sack lunches to students at their homes. If you are on a free and reduced program the lunch will be free or reduced to $0.40. If you wish to purchase a sack lunch the cost will be $3.00 and you can use the PaySchools account to be able to purchase them. No money will be accepted by the bus drivers. The buses will deliver the lunches between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm, and as they continue to make their routes, the buses will come at more predictable times so that students will know when they are able to pick them up. No lunches will be provided during Spring Break. If your child has any alleges please specify them when placing the order. You may call 937-465-1060 x 101, 102, 103, or you can email [email protected] or [email protected] to place an order.
The New York trip as well as the DC trip have been canceled due to corona virus fears. The school is working diligently to be able to get a full or partial refund for the cost of the trip back to the students. Currently, the Chicago trip is still being considered, but as a precaution the school will see if they are able to get a refund early if the trip is also cancelled.
For the February Teachers of the Month:
Brice Henry was nominated by students and selected as the HS Teacher of the Month. Mr. Henry teaches Elementary Music and MS/HS choir.
Dan Miller was nominated by students and selected as the MS Teacher of the Month. Mr. Miller teachers 8th grade Social Studies.
The AD’s report was heard from Jake Vitt:
All winter seasons are complete and the awards banquets have taken place except wrestling and boys basketball. Wrestlers Tyler Douthwaite and Ian Maurice have qualified for the District meet and a congratulation goes to them. Female bowler Katie Rollins has qualified for the District bowling meet and a congratulations goes to her. Spring sports had a large influx of interest, but due to the current closure and uncertain future of the educational year all sporting events will be awaiting official instruction. The Athletic Association had a very successful “drive through” meal distribution at the West Liberty firehouse. They also plan to have an auction/raffle night later on in the year to raffle off all the donated items.
An update was given by Superintendent Kraig Hissong:
The construction project for the cooling tower is coming under way with the final payment made to Ruscilli construction. OHM has also received all payments but the final one. As the closure is under effect it is possible to expedite the project and have it completed before or during the time that students return to school.
Hissong gave much credit to the school staff for being able to plan and mobilize due to the effects of the corona virus. During the Monday the week before the closure the staff believed that extra focus on cleanliness measures would be sufficient to keep the students and faculty safe. As the news came out that schools must close for a three week period, Hissong alongside the principals gathered on Thursday to begin planning their next steps to be able to keep teaching the students. A two hour delay was called on the last Friday which allowed the teachers to ready assignments and plans going into the next few weeks as well as last minute house keeping items. Hissong gives his thanks to the staff for being able to mobilize and take on such a task during the weeks time.
As reported from Transportation Supervisor Linda Harr, drivers have been working hard to sanitize the buses on a daily basis for the past month to reduce the possible spread of germs and viruses while students were being transported. It has always been a standard practice, but due to the closure, the drivers took extra effort and time making sure the buses were clean from top to bottom with the use of Clorox wipes and disinfectant sanitizers.
Superintendent Kraig Hissong comments on the evening.
In other board actions:
Jason Steider was approved as the Head MS Boys Track coach for the 2019-20 year
Annie Kauffman was approved as the Head Varsity Volleyball coach for the 2020-21 year
Heather Chamberlain was approved as the MS Cheerleading Winter coach for the 2020-21 year
Brad Jarzab was approved as the Assist. Varsity Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Mike Louden was approved as the Head Varsity Boys Cross Country coach for the 2020-21 year
Stacy Longshore was approved as the Head MS Cross Country coach for the 2020-21 year
Ann Vogel was approved as the Head Varsity Girls Cross Country coach for the 2020-21 year
Trevor Burden was approved as the Asst. MS Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Kyle Wilkins was approved as the Head MS Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Mike Carter was approved as the Asst. MS Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Dan McGill was approved as the Head Varsity Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Andy McGill was approved as the Asst. Varsity Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Jon McGill was approved as the Asst. Varsity Football coach for the 2020-21 year
Andy Cotrell was approved as the Head Varsity Girls Soccer coach for the 2020-21 year
Kim Hollar was approved as the Assist. Varsity Girls Soccer coach for the 2020-21 year
Tim Wolfe was approved as the Head Varsity Boys Soccer coach for the 2020-21 year
Sean Stormes was approved as the Head Golf coach for the 2020-21 year
Aaron Lauck was approved as the Head MS Cross Country Boys coach for the 2020-21 year
Approved the resignation of Cindy Sherrick from the position of Bus Driver for
purposes of retirement effective May 31, 2020. Sherrick has worked as a bus driver for 31 years for the school district and will be commemorated for her service at a later date
Approved the changing of course credit values that used to earn 0.625 credit per semester or 1.25 credits per year as following;
Personal Financial Management – Year-Long – 1.0 Credit
Child Development – Semester – 0.5 Credit
College and Career Readiness – Semester – 0.5 Credit
Principals of Food – Semester – 0.5 Credit
Global Foods – Semester – 0.5 Credit
Personal Wellness – Semester – 0.5 Credit
Approved The creation of two credit earning courses that would that would take
place during high school homeroom time;
Freshman Survey Course: Transition to High School, Part I
Sophmore Survey Course: Transition to High School, Part II
Had a first reading of the Student Drug Testing in Grades 9-12 policy regarding student drivers, and students participating in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities at West Liberty-Salem High School. This policy will be included in the 2020-2021 Student and Athletic Handbooks.
Approved modifications and increases
Approved Chelsea Baldwin to attend the Board of Education to attend the required Public Records Training for the 2020-2021 school year
Approved donations
Approved the Treasurer to enter into an agreement with the Ohio School Comp 2021 Workers Compensation Group Retrospective Rating Program, a program of OSBA and OASBO and Comp Management and to pay the 2021 enrollment and administrative fee in the amount of $655
Approved the Tax rates as submitted by the Champaign County Auditor for the 2020-2021 School Year
Accepted resignations of Jeanie Crabtree from the position of EMIS Coordinator/Records Clerk for purposes of retirement effective August 31, 2020
Accepted resignations of Audrey Jones from the position of Payroll/Fixed Asset Assistant for purposes of retirement effective June 30, 2020
Accepted Elizabeth (Liz) Carter as the Payroll/Fixed Asset Assistant and place her on a 2 Year Contract beginning April 1, 2020 and her first-year contract will be for 88 days and the second-year contract will be for 260 days at a daily rate of $138.24
Accepted Emily Ridgway as the EMIS Coordinator/Records Clerk and place her on a 2
Year Contract and she will begin August 10, 2020 and her contract will be for 207
days at a daily rate of $137.69
Approved monthly financial reports
Heard report on status of Baseball Field update with a headway being made during the closure with the fields being moved as to make space for the new ones and planing grass as needed. If the season is to be cancelled then the movement of the fields will be conducted sooner, but the school will monitor the situation and make actions as needed.
The board will meet again on Tuesday, April 21st, at 7:00 pm for a regular scheduled meeting at the MS/HS Media Center.
