ATTICA ?- Seneca East Board of Education met Monday night and heard treasurer Laura Brickner give her report, saying the General Fund is doing well, though just a month into the school year. When asked how the cafeteria fund was faring, she said the numbers are misleading at this point, due to the up-front purchase of food and there being three pay days in August.
North Central Ohio Council of Regional Government Director John Davoli spoke to the board, asking them to approve a resolution to allow Superintendent Michael Wank to sign a memorandum of understanding, joining other school and city entities to support a grant to perform a feasibility study for utilizing natural gas to power vehicles such as school buses. Davoli told the board that a memorandum does not commit the district in any way. The resolution was approved.
In lieu of transportation requests, which would pay some parents whose inconvenience in busing makes it more appealing to the district, were approved for the children of Rog Wilson, Laura Brodman, Shannon Widman, Kelly Hendrix, Gail Englehart, Barb King and David Kin. The board is anticipating more parents, who were contacted earlier, will respond.
Another resolution approving bus routes and authorizing the superintendent make arrangements for transportation of all special education and parochial students to include the use of hired and/or contracted vehicles and buses operated by other school districts or private concerns was approved.
Other resolutions approved included:
School fees for the 2012-13 school year.
Contract with NOECA for 2013 computer services.
Accept amounts and rates for the .75 mil levy for Seneca East Public Library.
Hiring Spielman, Hill, and Hedebrink to perform procedures for the ODE-Medicaid School program.
The board went into a lengthy executive session to meet with individuals who had concerns regarding personnel. Another executive session was held later in the meeting to discuss certified and supplemental personnel contracts.
The board approved two other resolutions, approving changes to the Seneca East Employment of Retirees policy, and hiring mentors for new teachers.
In Wank's report, he said the bus routes have been straightened out with communication being the problem. He also mentioned only one person has applied for a supplemental technology position, developed to assist teachers.
Wank praised the work of maintenance personnel, particularly Jay Mason and Glen Wise, in assembling equipment and cubicles in the sports complex.
The board also approved paying an annual fee of $484 for membership in the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, which helps work for adequate school funding, according to Wank.
Elementary principal Brad Powers said positive things are happening at the beginning of the school year with programs helping teachers assess and work with students. He said in his 26 years in education he is most excited about this year.
Junior/high school principal Don Vogt attended the meeting, saying he wants to take what are good test scores and make them better. He complimented staff members and custodians, thanking former principal Judy Watson for "sticking around awhile" to help him become acclimated to the new position. He said students have responded in a great way.
