Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education members learned at their Monday evening meeting, April 14, about the Bellefontaine Elementary Preschool and the program’s recent receipt of an award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
BES Principal Jenny Salyer said the preschool, which serves 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, received the Step Up To Quality Preschool Gold Award, the highest possible rating from the state.
Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.
Enrollment has doubled since the award-winning preschool opened at BES in 2022-23.
Salyer reported that students who start at the preschool enjoy a smooth transition to kindergarten.
BCS Executive Director of Administrative Services Roger Ely also shared positive news regarding energy performance.
Bellefontaine City Schools is in the top 5 percent of schools measured for their energy efficiency.
Ely praised BCS Maintenance Director Max Earick for making sure each space in the district (out of 500,000 square feet) is on a schedule for heating and cooling.
These efforts have saved the district thousands of dollars each month.
The board also heard about a proposed trip to the National SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Ga., from June 24-28. Hayden Maus and Lorenz Henry qualified for the trip after winning the SkillsUSA state competition in robotics and automation last month.
Shawn Miller is the longtime BHS robotics teacher.
The board will consider approving the trip at the next board meeting — 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the Distance Learning Center.
The board approved the school calendars for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Both calendars are similar to this school year. Classes will start in early September and conclude by Memorial Day.
Members also approved the BHS Band trip to Nashville, set for April 1-4, 2026. Band members will perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B.
Students will also visit other music venues in the city. The trip will cost about $525 per student.
In other action, the board approved or accepted:
• the retirement resignation of Kimberly Cayot, intervention specialist, effective May 30;
• the following resignations: Alex Burton and Elaine Keller, intervention specialists; Jennifer Cyr, fifth-grade English language arts; Rick Reed, physical education; all effective May 30; along with the resignations of Dana Campbell, food service worker, effective March 6; Heather Evans, educational aide, effective March 27; and Cameron Francis, second shift custodian, effective March 10;
• the following new hires: Olivia Sharp, intervention specialist; Joseph McCall, second shift custodian; Stephen Funderburgh, summer maintenance;
• the following staff members to teach summer school for the 2025 session: Michaela Baughman, Sandi Chervenak, Kylie Croston-Hrytzik (administrator), Tasidee Dillion, Catherine Eastman, Patricia Elson, Tammy Fowler, Carol Fultz, Aaron Garver, Sarah Gossard, Emily Housholder (paraprofessional), James Howell, Tyler Johnson, Diann Jordan, Angela Lowe, Chandler Martell (paraprofessional), Riley Penhorwood, Stacy Penhorwood, Jon Reminder, Tammy Schneider (paraprofessional), Paula Shaw, Cody Sigrist, Rachael Stacklin and Bess Standley;
• Garrett Jenkins as a volunteer high school track coach; and
• increasing the hourly wage for a summer tech aide to $15/hour.
Finally, the board recognized April Seniors of the Month Paula Paredes Reinoso and Braylon Newcomb. They each received an achievement pin and a $15 gift card to Ron’s Pizza.