BACE Members Share Concerns at Barnesville School Board
Members of the Barnesville Area Classified Employees (BACE) union, attended Tuesday’s school board meeting in force. Union members have worked without a contract since July 1. BACE members are non-teacher employees of the district including bus drivers, secretaries, cooks and aides.
BACE President Kelly Leasure spoke on behalf of paraprofessionals who work in the district.
BACE President and MS Secretary Kelly Leasure addressed school board members on behalf of Barnesville Area Classified Employees (BACE), who have operated without a contract since July 1, at Tuesday’s monthly board meeting.
“I come tonight as a dedicated educator and navigator, not just for myself, but for all paraprofessionals who are the backbone of student support in our district,” she said.
She added each day she provides one-on-one instruction, behavior support, academic reinforcement and emotional support to students in need. She said she develops deep relationships that foster trust and create solutions where learning can happen, stating her students depend on her.
Leasure said there is an increase of contract registered behavioral technicians (RBTs) taking the place of these aides.
“Let me be clear, I respect the work of the RBTs. I would consider two of the RBTs we have as good friends of mine,” she said. “RBTs have a specific role in behavior intervention, and they are important to the team, but they’re not a replacement for paras who serve broader, more diverse roles.”
She added that it has been said the aides cannot handle the students, but often aides are assigned the most challenging students and do so without complaining taking pride in their work.
She said she is frustrated because when RBTs are late, leave early or don’t come to school, the aides have to step in and cover for them. She added aides are told they are “good enough” to keep things running and support the students when needed, but aren’t valued or treated like equals when RBTs are present. She added that when paraprofessionals are absent, the attitude is “no big deal,” and students just miss out on services for the day.
Leasure believes replacing aides with RBTs undervalues their work, disrupts student routines and progress and creates job insecurity for aides who are dedicated to the district.
Leasure said the paraprofessionals deserve a contract to honor their experienced roles and provide fair wages and benefits.
“We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for respect. We are asking to be seen, heard and valued for the work we do every day. Investing in paraprofessionals is investing in stability, student achievement and part of our schools,” she said. “Please keep that in mind as you move forward with contract negotiations.”
Barnesville resident, Amy Dillingham, also spoke. Dillingham has a daughter who is enrolled in Barnesville schools. She stated that her daughter faces behavioral and physical challenges. Aides provide assistance with her daughter’s academics, provide basic life skills and socialization and have built trust with her, which is difficult, she said.
Dillingham mentioned her daughter requires consistency in her daily routine. She said she never worries about her daughter when she is with her aides.
She added she does not believe in replacing aides with RBTs. “They’re not just aides,” she said. “They are family.”
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
High school teacher and volunteer junior varsity softball coach Samantha Huff attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of coaches in the district, who she said, dedicate countless hours to student athletes, often without compensation.
“Coaching is not just about daily practices,” she said. “It’s early mornings, late nights, weekends. Emotional lessons are successful on and off the field.”
She added coaches teach discipline, teamwork, resilience and values that shape students, yet many receive no pay for their contributions. She added that is not sustainable or respectful of the work they do.
“Paying coaches fairly is not a financial decision. It’s a statement that we value their roles in our schools and our community,” she said.
Huff concluded an unpaid coach is not sustainable for the athletic programs, and she would like to be considered for the paid softball coaching assistant position.
Board President Leslie Schultz replied to the public’s comments, stating the board will take all of the statements into executive session as the committee continues negotiations.
“We want a fair contract for you guys, too,” she said. “We want to make sure that the students are getting the services that they need as well.”
Administrator Reports
CURRICULUM DIRECTOR REPORT
Curriculum director Clinton Abbott told the board the artificial intelligence (AI) training day went well. He noted teachers have been using what they learned in the classroom and are building on it.
Schultz added positive feedback for the AI training noting she has received calls from teachers reporting it was the best professional development training they’ve ever taken.
There was a District Leadership Team meeting last week while a school resources day will take place on Friday.
He added many special education students are making progress with IEPs – individual educational plans – that are being updated to reflect current goals.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT
Elementary school principal Zack Powell shared updates.
The Veterans Day program is scheduled for Nov. 11. Jeremy Wilkinson, retired Marine Corps Major and a 1993 graduate of Cambridge High School, is program speaker.
The school is partnering with School Smiles, a program that provides dental care for students who may not have access to regular care. Thirty-two elementary students are registered for appointments on Dec. 5. Services will include exams, X-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions. Powell said he is interested in repeating the program in the spring.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
High School Principal Ron Clark told the board several students will visit Barnesville Hospital this week to explore careers based on their interests.
Other field trips planned include the Noble County Ohio Department of Transportation garage and the Cardinal Power Plant at Brilliant.
Staff is preparing reports for the ‘Stay in the Game” first quarter data of the attendance tracking.
The Belmont County Staying Clean Club is sponsoring a speaker for middle and high school students to discuss the dangers of vaping and drug use.
Parent and teacher conferences coincide with FAFSA night on Thursday. The Belmont County Financial Aid Department will help parents complete the federal student aid applications prior to the Nov. 1 deadline.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR REPORT
Athletic director Brad Hannahs told the school board the 7th grade volleyball team won the first Buckeye 8 Junior High Championship while the 8th grade team was a runner-up with a strong performance.
The Conference plans to do the same for junior high basketball and wrestling.
Hannahs reported the high school golf team finished the season with a 37-5 record and were runner-up in the OVAC.
The high school football team’s record stands at 7-1. The team will play Independence High School (WV) Friday at Marietta due to travel times for both teams. It will count as a home game with the district receiving gate revenue.
The cross country team will participate in district competition Saturday.
Winter sports schedules are set except for the swim team which is affected by limited pool availability.
The athletic council met last week to review winter schedules, busing and budgets.
MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT
Middle school principal Casey Mayo reported the parent-teacher conferences were underway the day of the meeting.
Mayo explained he launched an academic probation and suspension policy for student athletes to make sure students focus on academics and not just sports. When the program started two years ago, 11 football players were affected. This year only two students are in the program and both improved their grades while only one student fell into the suspension category. That student is working with a tutor and trying to get back on track.
The 7th grade volleyball team was undefeated in regular season play while all members maintained a 4.0 GPA. Mayo promised to purchase ice cream for the team if they were undefeated and maintained a perfect GPA. Promises made, promises kept.
The trait for September’s “Character of the Month” was responsibility. Class honors went to the following students: Olivia Fisher and Remington Toby, 5th grade; Avery Boggs and Noah Travis, 6th grade; Bristol Nalley and Austin Markam, 7th grade while 8th grade winners are Blaine Thompson and Mariah Wiese.
SUPPORT SERVICES REPORT
Director of support services John Blattler reported cameras were installed recently on the two new buses that will go on the road in December.
Blattler also reported a small leak found in the elementary building discovered after construction work was completed, was repaired.
FOOD SERVICES REPORT
Nutrition Group Food Director, Brian Saner, reported the culinary team and cooks participated in food safety, production records, employee manuals and other operational trainings. They also sampled new foods that will be featured on the menu this year.
Saner talked about the “Taking Nutrition Global” program. The group featured Mexican foods where students got to use “The Price is Right” style wheel making for a fun experience.
Cafeterias marked National Cheeseburger Day and National Pancake Day in September. They also celebrated National School Lunch Week with international food themes. This month, a special Halloween meal is set for the end of the month.
Menus were revamped bringing back popular items and new a la carte and breakfast options to increase student participation. At the elementary school, staff staged a nutrition for life event for kindergarteners and new students that included a cafeteria tour.
TREASURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
The school board approved transfers recommended by the treasurer totaling $301,253.90.
The Board approved amended appropriations and estimated revenues for fiscal year 2026. Amended appropriations total $2,243,714 while estimated revenues come up to $2,719,202.
The school board accepted the a pledge payment for the Turf/lighting stadium project of $2,000 from Richard and Theresa Marmie.
The school board also approved the following treasurer recommendations:
Payments approved included $49,468.09 to the Nutrition Group, Inc. for September food services and $74,000 to the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center AI/Tech education training. The latter payment is reimbursable throughthe Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
PERSONEL
The board approved the following personnel appointments recommended by superintendent Micah Fuchs:
Melissa Smith – Substitute Medical Professional and Jeremy Kinton – Substitute Groundskeeper Floater
The following volunteers were approved for the current school year:
Junior High Wrestling – Bud Hines, Karson Milhoan, Owen Oliver, Clinton Abbott and Kyle King
Bowling Assistants – Hailey Hoffer and Matt Hall
Assistant Junior High Boys Basketball Assistants – Luke Powell and Josh Stephen
The board also approved one-year supplemental contracts for the 2025-2026 school for the following individuals:
Skyler King – Junior High Wrestling Coach; Sam Wells – Junior High Boys Basketball Coach; Denny Thompson – Junior High Boys Basketball Coach; Kelley Hanlon – Girls Head Softball Coach, and Ted Hanlon – Girls Assistant Softball Coach
The board accepted the resignation of aide Becky Detling whose last day is Oct. 24.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Following reports from administrators, the school board entered into executive session “to consider employment and prepare for, conduct or review negotiations with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment”. The session lasted one hour before the board returned to the public meeting agenda.
NEXT MEETING
The next school board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Middle School Cafetorium. This is the regularly scheduled meeting date, the third Thursday of the month.
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.