Benjamin Logan School Superintendent John Scheu presented the district’s board of education with an update Monday, July 21, on five goals pursued during the 2024–25 school year at the board’s regular meeting.
Those goals were:
• Achieve a 4.5 or better Ohio School Report Card rating.
• Financially end the year where revenues exceed expenditures.
• Train 100 percent of teachers and administrators in Science of Reading by the end of June.
• Maximize student learning with time on task.
• Communicate with the community on school–related topics.
One of the highlights Scheu and Leah Baker, treasurer, focused on was their success in ending the year financially in the black by over $62,000. This money can now be transferred to expenditures for the upcoming year.
When Covid–19 relief funds were exhausted last year, the district lost a significant amount of money, including $48,000 for food services. Nevertheless, the school now has set a goal of paying off their permanent improvements loan by this December, which would be two years early.
“The significance of doing so,” Scheu said, “means we’ll double our fund balance, going from $300,000 to $600,000. That should be a priority for us.”
Scheu also pointed out the fact that the district hasn’t passed an additional levy for operating expenses since 2000 and not many schools can say the same.
Since this is the first time in over 10 years BL has ended the fiscal year in the black, Scheu later stated, “It says a lot about the district being responsible to stay on top of our financial situation and make sure we spend money wisely.”
He added the amount of carry–over funds means they hopefully won’t have to take out
loans to pay off upcoming expenses, like the much–needed wastewater treatment plant and the purchase of new school buses, which have a starting price of $135,000.
The school met the third goal early, with every teacher and administrator completing the Science of Reading course before the June 30 deadline.
As to the last goal, BL held five Let’s Talk School events during the year with attendance
ranging from two people to 15.
“It’s a way to go into the community and listen,” Scheu said. And though he admits the turnout wasn’t great, “at least we made the attempt.”
Planning ahead, Scheu told the board he’d like to hear goals for the 2025–26 school year to present at the August board meeting. Mark Himmeger, school board president, said one needs to be the enforcement of their cell phone policy, especially at the high school.
“We’ll probably address the new policy in August,” Scheu responded. “We’ve tightened up the use of cell phones, but we need to follow up on that.”
Treasurer Report
After accepting the June 2025 financial report, bank reconciliation and financial statements, and all June 2025 bills, the board also approved:
• A transfer of $703.05 to cover negative lunch balances, which will be added to student fees.
• The acceptance of two Martha Jennings Foundation grants—one of $3,700 for Sally Stolly, and another of $3,000 for Jason Smith.
Personnel
Regarding personnel, the board approved the following:
• Resignations of teachers Kaitlin Lindemer and Andrew Bistransin for personal reasons.
• Employment of Erica Warne as a fifth–grade teacher.
• Stipends for the following upon completion of the Science of Reading training:
Amanda Davis, Natasha Anderson, Amanda Wood, Myles Bowers, Lisa Smith, Darrin Reese, Trisha Hemmelgarn, Lance Predmore, Sarah Smith, Michael Dove, Spencer Reames, Margaret Bowlby, Anthony Courtney and Robert Wolf.
• High school non–athletic supplemental contracts for: Jennifer Davis, art club; Jason Smith, First Robotics advisor; Stacy McLaughlin, guard/majorette/flag advisor; Rob Painter, Key Club advisor; Chelsey Webb, show choir; Lora James, teaching assistant program coordinator.
Other Items
• In his report, Scheu told the board he, along with supervisors from Champaign, Shelby and Logan county schools, met with Tim Barhorst, Ohio state representative for district 85. He said it was a good meeting, adding, “I think he represents our districts quite well.”
• Based on the recommendation of Beau Harmon, activities director, the board set the sporting events ticket taker pay scale at $25 for seventh- and eighth-grade, ninth-grade only and junior varsity only, and $35 for varsity games. An extra $15 will be paid for every additional hour over two.
• In addition, the board approved the disposal of records as requested by the Records Commission Committee.
• At the request of board member Scott Spriggs, the school will consider the possibility of letting high school seniors paint their assigned parking space.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18.
