New Benjamin Logan High School Principal Annette Ramga-Alatorre, left, shakes hands with Board President Karen Dill. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
The newly hired principal at Benjamin Logan High School (BLHS) knew she was in the right spot the first time she shopped at the Bellefontaine Wal-Mart and someone recognized her. And it was just what she’d been hoping for.
“I’m back to my roots,” Annette Ramga-Alatorre said. “Coming back to a rural community was my goal.”
On the recommendation of Benjamin Logan School District Superintendent John Scheu, the district board of education approved Ramga-Alatorre, who is originally from Wapakoneta, into the principal position at their regular meeting on Monday, July 17.
“Even though Annette’s background as a school principal for six years has been primarily inner city,” Scheu stated, “she’s a farm girl at heart, having grown up in rural Auglaize County.”
Ramga-Alatorre has a master of science in educational leadership from Franciscan University and a bachelor of science in elementary/music education from Bowling Green State University. Her experience in education includes 14 years as an administrator and 18 as a teacher.
Most recently, she served as principal for six years at the Michigan Math and Science Academy Dequindre, a charter public school in Warren, Mich. She also has a strong background in special education, which will benefit the BLHS teachers in that role.
“I’m looking forward to working with the students, staff and community at Benjamin Logan,” Ramga-Alatorre said.
The high school teacher interview committee met with five candidates before settling on Ramga-Alatorre. According to Scheu, the team was impressed with her range of successful experiences in education.
Ramga-Alatorre was hired on a three-year contract, from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2026. She will replace Dr. Brian Powderly, who left Benjamin Logan for another position.
In other board news, Stacie Newman, food service director, went over the recent cafeteria review. She focused on a program through the new state budget that will allow qualifying reduced-price families to receive free school meals. Because it’s a federal program, the district has to wait on guidelines before they can implement it, but they hope it will become available this school year.
Newman also presented several special considerations, including the need for a new dishwasher at the elementary school and a potentially substantial expense connected to the work currently being done on the walk-in freezer at the middle school.
Another concern centered around supply chain issues funds—the district received $47,000 in 2022 which they were told would not be available for the 2023-2024 school year.
Finally, she told the board they are looking into planning the entire year’s menu in advance, then putting it on a refrigerator magnet for families.
“Not doing that monthly will be a time- and money-saver,” Newman said.
Scheu reported that 14 staff members completed the armed response team training at the end of June, and they have six more scheduled to finish it in August. And on Friday, July 14, they finalized significant building enhancements that will improve security for students and staff.
The state report card, which probably won’t be released until early September, showed some good news as far as test scores in some classes, specifically fifth and seventh grades. But it also shows the detrimental affects the covid year had on learning.
“This was throughout the state, and we’re no exception,” Scheu said. “We’re still playing catch-up.”
Board member Deb Johnson asked what is being done to help students get back to their grade level.
“We don’t want our kids paying for something out of their control,” she said.
Scheu responded in agreement, saying the issue needs to be addressed and discussed.
In other action:
• The board appointed Karen Dill as the delegate to the 2023 Ohio School Boards Association annual business meeting in November. The high school jazz band will perform at the student achievement fair there on Nov. 13, and the school will have some art on display. Mark Himmeger was chosen as the alternate delegate.
• A payment-in-lieu of transportation resolution was passed to address an issue related to impractical bussing. The district hopes to resolve the problem for the student through negotiation. If that doesn’t work, the payment-in-lieu will be used.
• The purchase of awards and events for expenses incurred that serve a valid and proper public purpose from the general fund was affirmed.
• In addition to Ramga-Alatorre (step 7), the board approved the employment of Kaleigh Saylor as an educational assistant (step 2) and Brenda Mitchell as a bus driver (step 4). They also accepted the adjustment of Rhonda Cook (head cook) to step 15.
• College Credit Plus stipends for individuals were approved as per the negotiated agreement. This rescinds the previously approved June 26 list.
• Approved on supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year were: Joel Phillips, boys JV/HS basketball, rescinds a previously approved contract from June 26; Maxine Trout, HS cheerleading competition, and HS assistant football coach, Aaron Myers, and accepted volunteer services from high school football cheer coach Ashley Shields.
• Revised lunch prices for the 2023-2024 school year are: ES lunch – $2.95; MS/HS lunch – $3.20; Reduced lunch – 40 cents; Adult lunch – $3.50; Breakfast – $1.85; Reduced breakfast – 30 cents; Extra milk – 50 cents; (a la carte items available in each building).
• During public participation, resident Sam Wall expressed his concerns regarding the use of the fire alarm during a drug search, which he considered a false alarm.
A special board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. July 31 to award the asphalt bid. Scheu asked the board to specifically consider the completion dates from the bids.
“Our original legal notice said by the time school starts,” Scheu stated. “But the first football game is Aug. 25, so it needs to be done by Aug. 24.”
The next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21.
Stacie Newman, standing, food services director, discussed the recent cafeteria review with the Benjamin Logan School District Board of Education at their regular meeting Monday, July 17. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
