Reser named BES assistant principal
The Bellefontaine Board of Education approved a new three-year contract with the certified staff during their monthly meeting Monday night, July 14, in the High School Sloan Distance Learning Center, and also extended a contract to a new assistant principal at Bellefontaine Elementary School.
Members of the Bellefontaine Education Association (BEA) ratified the new contract last month. The contract covers the language of the economic package and insurance.
The contract runs from Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2028.
The certified staff will receive a 4 percent increase on their base salary in 2025-26, followed by a 2 percent increase in 2026-27 and a 2 percent increase in 2027-28.
Superintendent Brad Hall announced that he is abstaining from these pay increases over the next three years.
Relating to the new BES assistant principal, the board extended a three-year contract to Jordan Reser to serve in this position. His new contract begins Aug. 1.
In other administrative changes, members accepted the retirement resignation of Bellefontaine Intermediate School Principal Pat Martz, effective Dec. 31.
Whitney Stolly, Bellefontaine Intermediate School assistant principal, also submitted her resignation for her current position, effective June 30. She was extended a new contract as a literacy coach for the 2025-26 school year.
In other personnel matters, the board completed their annual evaluations of Superintendent Brad Hall and Treasurer Josh Wasson.
Board President Colin Yoder issued statements on both evaluations.
“The Bellefontaine Board of Education gave Mr. Hall a positive evaluation for the last academic year. The board believes he has done a great job managing district operations and personnel while keeping the district focused on academic excellence and student safety.
“The board has given Treasurer Josh Wasson a positive evaluation for the last academic year. The board is pleased with Mr. Wasson’s management of district finances, the accuracy of his financial forecasting, and his efforts to streamline and improve the level of service and consistency delivered by the Treasurer’s Office.”
Among other preparations for next school year, the board approved a Chromebook maintenance and licensing fee of $50 per student in 2025-26 to cover the costs of accidental damage and premium software licenses.
In addition, the board approved a flat fee of $30 for student attending BCS, which is the workbook price and student fees for 2025-26. All academic costs above the $30 per student flat fee will be paid from the general fund.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the following resignations: Phillip Blake, high school math Morgan Calton, fourth-grade English language arts; Katy Curnutte, high school Spanish
April Easton, high school science; Melinda Haberman, Riley Penhorwood and Nichole Stafford, intervention specialists; Tracy Huffman, kindergarten; Jordan Reser, STEM; Dawn Spangler, BES guidance counselor; Alyssa Ward, kindergarten; Erica Warne, fifth-grade; Trinity Floyd, Azalia Hawkey, educational aides; and Meredith Richters, percussion adviser;
• the board hired the following staff members for 2025-25: Cailyn Coronado, high school Spanish; Deena Fenske, BES guidance counselor; Grant Gariety, seventh-grade social studies; Brian Hanson, Justin Hudgell, Drew Jackson, Catherine Kern and April Pulfer, intervention specialists; Hanna Kean, high school math; Bryant Runyon, Sarah McDonald, fifth-grade; Amanda McGee, kindergarten; Hannah Shoffner, second-grade; Brielle Ward, preschool;
• extended supplemental contracts to: Morgan Standley, winter/spring weight room coordinator; Michelle Hilliard, assistant high school volleyball; and
• approved the food service agreement between BCS and Madison-Champaign County ESC; the athletic spectator code of conduct policy; the elementary student handbook (K-5); the middle school student handbook; the high school student handbook; and the district student handbook.
The board called a special session for 4 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at the board office. Members will go into executive session to discuss personnel.
The next regular board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, in the Distance Learning Center at BHS.
