Back-to-school updates presented
The Bellefontaine Board of Education heard an in-depth back-to-school update at their monthly meeting Monday night, Aug. 11, in the High School Sloan Distance Learning Center, including a big win for students supporting home athletic events during 2025-26.
The board approved free admission for BCS students to all home athletic events. Tickets can be reserved through Hometown Ticketing.
“This is about building community, school pride, and making sure every student can be part of the Chieftain experience,” Superintendent Brad Hall said.
The superintendent was joined by the Director of Administrative Services Roger Ely and Tech Coordinators Marc Stakey and Gavin Yoder for the back-to-school presentation.
Hall reported that each building is fully staffed, and more than 2,400 students are enrolled at BCS this fall.
He said that BCS will continue to implement Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) – a framework that helps educators provide academic and behavioral strategies for students with various needs.
Two new notable positions are a literacy coach at BMS (Whitney Stolly) and a behavior coach at BES (Mara Ledley).
The 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.; and Bellefontaine Elementary School – 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The school year starts on Wednesday, Sept. 3 (for grades 1-9).
Open house night for the district students and families is Aug 28, including BES from 4:30 to 6 p.m.; BIS from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; BMS from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; and BHS from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Also at the meeting, the board approved a new three-year contract with the classified staff.
OAPSE members (Ohio Association of Public School Employees) ratified the contract last month.
The contract covers the language of the economic package and insurance, and runs from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2028.
Classified staff members 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.
The board then approved the same salary schedule for non-represented classified members.
The board approved an increase in hourly wages for the following substitute positions: Food Service Worker $14.50; Teacher Aide/Para $14.50; Secretary $14.50; Custodian $17.50; and Bus Driver $19.50.
Ely gave an overview of several summer projects on each campus. Most of the projects were funded through permanent improvement funds.
The field turf at AcuSport Stadium was disinfected. Glass and bricks on the BHS Atrium are being repaired this week.
A new sound system in the high school band room records practice sessions.
The BHS Athletic Boosters paid for upgrades to the sound system at AcuSport Stadium.
Ely said a nine-passenger multi-purpose vehicle was recently purchased.
A new walking path connecting BMS to Ludlow Ridge and BES has been installed.
Two new playground pieces are being added at Bellefontaine Intermediate School – a gaga pit and a spider climber. The BIS PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) paid for the gaga pit.
Each fourth- and fifth-grade classroom has new chairs and desks. The BIS teaching staff painted various hallways.
At BES, the playground at BES received new mulch; a new intercom switch was installed; and the parking lot was sealed and striped.
Stakey and Yoder detailed many tech updates, including:
The internet connection upgrade to WOCO (Western Ohio Computer Organization) is going from 1 GB to 2 GB.
New Chromebooks are ready for 6th-graders.
Server upgrades and security upgrades are complete.
The call manager server has been built and all outbound connectivity has been secured.
Finally, Stakey discussed House Bill 56. The new legislation requires districts to establish a cybersecurity incident plan and reiterates expectations for student and staff data security. The law also considers any unauthorized account access as a security breach.
In other action, the board:
• accepted these resignations: Lori Peterson – Food Service Worker; and Rhonda Scheffel – Educational Aide;
• hired the following: Terra Byrd-Grupe – 4th Grade; Carter Curl – Intervention Specialist; Nichole Stafford – 1st Grade; Brenda Hall – Food Service Worker; Kristin Allore Lowe – Media Aide; Peggy Navaroli and Jessica Pender – Food Service Workers; Lori Peterson – BES Head Cook; and Ava Huffman, Jody Salmons and Erin Short – Educational Aides;
• approved extended time for these employees: Morgan Standley – 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; Eric Miller – High School Guidance – 20 days; Lindsey Maus – Middle School Guidance – 4 days; Rebecca O’Rielley – High School Guidance – 20 days; Yvette Hunsicker – Marketing Education – 10 days; Paula Shaw – High School Guidance – 20 days; Deena Fenske – Elementary School Guidance – 5 days; and Bill Tipple – Television/Communications – 25 days;
• extended the following supplemental contracts: Daniel Boy and Garrett Gross – 7th Grade Football; Mallory Casserly – High School Percussion Advisor; Chelsea Horsley – High School Girls Wrestling; Baylie Levan – 7th Grade Volleyball; Enya Mitchell – Middle School Volleyball; Mikael Neeley – Middle School Girls Wrestling;
* approved Lynzee Cronkleton High School Volleyball) and Brian Hogan (Middle School Girls Basketball) as volunteer coaches;
• approved the following athletic workers: John Boling Maurice, Katie Buffkin, Maverick Calton, Morgan Calton, Sandi Chervenak, Megan Cira, Damon Dixon, Catherine Eastman, Keri Fergus, Garrett Gross, Matt Gross, Cheryl Harman, Anastasia Hiatt, Brady Hiatt, Lisette Hiatt, Ryan Holycross, Jordan Kesler, Julie Kurtz, Adam Middlesworth, Skylar Mifsud, Ric Prine, Jenny Salyer and Emily Taylor;
• approved stipends of $2,500 each for Martha Earick and Christina Prine for taking on significant additional responsibilities, projects, and time-sensitive tasks.
• approved Costin Family Practice as the medical provider to BCS for 2025-26 at the annual fee of $1.
• approved curriculum, bus routes and enforcement of nutrition standards for the ’25-’26 school year.
The board also met in a special session at the board office Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 12:45 p.m. to discuss district goals.
The next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in the Distance Learning Center at BHS.
