Barnesville School Board Meeting – August 15, 2024
At the monthly meeting, the Board of Education approved FY 25 Estimated Revenues and Amendments totaling 424,947,585 and FY 25 Estimated Permanent Appropriations of $24,133,092, presented by Treasurer Adam Quirk.
Quirk also updated members on the application to provide universal free lunches for all students. At present all students are provided breakfast with only those students recognized as economically disadvantaged receive free lunches. Superintendent Micah Fuchs noted that the category of disadvantaged students in the district is increasing, presently hovering between 36-38 percent.
Donations received in July included totaled, $5,075. The Sinclair Foundation, established by 1974 BHS Grad Kristin Wright Sinclair and her husband, donated $4,000, split evening between the Elementary and Middle School libraries. Her father, James A. Wright, was school superintendent here in the early 1970s.
Other donations were received from Hissom’s Car Care, J-MO Meats, Lakeland Foods, Hilltop Do It Best Hardware and the Flower Gardens for the Back to School Project and $400 from the Ohio Hills Folk Festival Mile Long Parade that the Barnesville Band participated in.
The Board also acknowledged a Turf/Lighting Stadium Project Pledge from The Football Moms of $25,000.
In other action, the Board approved adult cafeteria prices for the new school year, approved an addendum to the CAC Belmont County Heat Start Program Lease Agreement, and the Student Wellness and Success Plan for 2024-25.
Under personnel, Stacey Marcum was hired as the elementary school secretary, Tracy Temple and Jennifer Wise were hired as substitute aide/cook/secretary. Supplemental sports contracts were approved for Ryan Grear, Ashli Allen, Dylan Rogers and Wesley Lewis while Bryce Allen was approved to serve as a volunteer assistant baseball coach.
Agreements were approved for the Ohio Health Corporation to provide student Job Shadowing opportunities and the East Central Ohio Education Services Center to provide Career Navigation Services.
Memorandums of Agreement were approved for the Switzerland of Ohio School District to cover tutoring services Barnesville students enrolled at St. Sylvester Elementary School and with the Southeast Health Care Services to provide mental health and substance abuse services to for students in the district.
HS Principal Ron Clark shared that the OUE Zoom Room used by students for Advanced Studies classes offered by Ohio University Eastern is complete. The facility includes a 72-inch screen for class instruction.
Athletic Director Brad Hannahs said the new high school gym lighting project is complete. The system includes a spotlight on the American Flag allowing the rest of the room to be darkened and allows spotlighting for presentations and special events
New Elementary School Principal Zachary Powell updated the Board on the currently open school resource position. For the present time, Middle School resource officer Shilling will help with student arrivals each day.
Powell also shared updates on Head Start, working cooperatively the new officers of the Parent Teachers Association, and coordinating classes for the LifeWise program.
Middle School Principal Casey Mayo informed the Board that a community member has offered to donate funds to purchase a metal detector for the building. Presently students are scanned with a wand when they arrive at school. Mayo is still investigating what model is best. The units can cost between $12,000-$15,000.
Mayo also outlined ongoing problems with the exterior clock at the Middle School. Most of the time it does not work and, when repaired, works intermittently. Mayo suggested covering the clock with a vinyl adhesive cover sporting the words “Home of the Rocks”. The cost may run between $325 and $480 while it could cost between $4,000 and $6,000 to properly repair the clock. No action was taken.
Transportation Director John Blattler provided an update on electrical repairs at Shamrock Stadium and told the Board an agreement was signed with the Heritage Learning Center for transporting center students to and from the facility daily.
Blattler shared an update on the lighting system at the stadium. It is now set to choreograph lighting for band performances and special events using an outside vendor that coordinates a light show with music chosen ahead of the event. He also provided an update on a safety grant that will provide non-stick surfaces for the district’s cafeteria kitchens.
The next Board Meeting is set for Thursday, September 19 at 5:30 in the Middle School Cafetorium.
