The Bellefontaine Board of Education heard an in-depth back-to-school update at their monthly meeting Monday night, Aug. 12.
Superintendent Brad Hall and Director of Administrative Services Roger Ely led the presentation.
Hall reported that several substitute teachers have been hired. Many schools have struggled to maintain enough subs for coverage. BCS appears to be ready to meet this challenge during the 2024-25 school year, Hall related.
School hours for each building are: Bellefontaine High School – 7:20 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.; Bellefontaine Middle School – 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Bellefontaine Intermediate School – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Bellefontaine Elementary School – 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The new school year begins Wednesday, Sept. 4, for grades one through nine.
Ely gave an overview of several summer projects on each campus.
ESSER funds (federally-funded) paid for new LED lights at AcuSport Stadium. The new lights are 68 percent more efficient than the former lighting system.
The stadium’s goalposts were sandblasted and painted.
Permanent improvement funds paid for various projects, including:
• A dozen clocks with message boards installed throughout the high school.
• Modified BHS auditorium for additional handicap seating.
• Added playground fencing on the south and east borders at BES due to construction.
• Repaired several classroom tile floors at BIS.
The board heard an update on the district’s technology upgrades over the summer.
BCS Technology Coordinator Marc Stakey reported that fiber optics were installed in the press box at AcuSport Stadium.
Crews also installed a stadium “bridge” for wireless connectivity to the concession area.
Finally, server upgrades have been completed at BHS.
Board members then approved monthly financial reports and the annual appropriation resolution.
In personnel, the board accepted the resignations of Megan Moeller, preschool teacher; Valerie Chamberlain, bus driver.
In other personnel, the board hired: Brittany Johnson, kindergarten; Michelle Corwin, bus driver; Miriam Rodriquez Yamato, second shift custodian.
Finally, the board approved curriculum for the 2024-25 school year.
In other action, the board:
• approved Costin Family Practice as the medical provider to BCS for 2024-25 at the annual fee of $1.
• approved 17 extended days for communications coordinator Bill Tipple for work done from Jan. 1 through June 30;
• approved extended time for the following employees: Morgan Fultz, Strength & Wellness Instructor, 9 days; Eric Hamm, Intermediate School Guidance, 10 days; Brice Henry, Vocal Music, 10 days; Kenneth Hoffman, Instrumental Music, 10 days; Julie Kurtz, Middle School Guidance, 20 days; Shalie Logan, High School Guidance, 20 days; Lindsey Maus, Middle School Guidance, four days; Rebecca O’Rielley, High School Guidance, 20 days; Jake Kennedy, Marketing Education, 10 days; Paula Shaw, High School Guidance, 20 days; Dawn Spangler, Elementary School Guidance, 5 days; Bill Tipple, Television/Communications, 25 days;
• approved the following supplemental contracts: Tricia Baker, High School Chieftain Leaders Adviser; Marcia Cooper, High School Senior Class Advisor; Jere Daniels, High School Production Manager; Brice Henry, High School Drama Adviser, Middle School/High School Vocal Music Director; Kenneth Hoffman, High School Jazz Band; Heather Johnson, Middle School/High School Instrumental Music; Alysia Kuba,High School Competition Cheer Head Coach; Melanie Lehman, High School Homecoming Coordinator, High School Senior Class Adviser, High School Interact; Darcy Neeld, Middle School Show Choir; Cody Sigrist ,High School Envirothon (50 percent); Jenna Smith, Assistant High School Basketball Sideline Cheer Assistant; Bess Standley – High School Educators Rising; Heather Storm, Head High School Basketball Sideline Cheer; Jeanie Tipple, High School Spanish Club; Dustin Van Buskirk, Micah Woolf, High School Robotics (50 percent each)
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Jared Bowden, High School Drama Club; Brad Brown, Middle School Girls Basketball; Rick Gildow, High School Softball; Richard McDaniel, High School Track; David Overholser, High School Bowling; Andrew Pratt, High School Football; and
• approved athletic workers Bill Badenhop, John Boling Maurice, Kim Brown, Katie Buffkin, Sandi Chervenak, Megan Cira, Damon Dixon, Catherine Eastman, Keri Fergus, Matt Gallaway, Ben Gillig, Garrett Gross, Matt Gross, Cheryl Harman, Anastasia Hiatt, Brady Hiatt, Lisette Hiatt, Ryan Holycross, Stacey Holycross, Lori Horn, James Howell, Erin Hoyng, Jake Kennedy, Jordan Kesler, Julie Kurtz, Blake Lantz, Melanie Lehman, Sharon Lewis, Jennifer Lynch, Adam Middlesworth, Skylar Mifsud, Nate Miranda, Cheryl Poppel, Christina Prine, Ric Prine, Meredith Richters, Jim Robinson, Jenny Salyer, Debbie Sheehan, Roxan Sprouse, Brandon Standley, Marcus St. Clair, Andrea Torsell, Sharon Traul, Barb Triplett, Luke Varner, Mike Vetorino, Jason Warner, Dallas Williams.
The next board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Distance Learning Center at BHS.