Commemorative benches installed in honor of Williams, Clark
The Bellefontaine City Schools Board of Education presented a longtime employee with district-wide honors during their monthly meeting Monday night, April 17.
Bellefontaine High School Head Custodian Tina Williams was named the Classified Employee of the Year. She was nominated by the high school staff, who offered praised for her commitment and selfless service.
Williams has been with BCS for 21 years.
The board approved the school calendars for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Both calendars are similar to this school year. Classes will start after Labor Day and conclude by Memorial Day.
Bellefontaine High School Principal Jason Brown detailed two commemorative benches that were recently installed in front of the Austin Knowlton Fieldhouse.
The benches honor football standouts Jesse Williams and Gail Clark.
Williams and Clark each graduated from BHS in 1969. The Class of 1969 paid for the benches.
The board heard two brief presentations regarding upcoming student trips.
BHS DECA Adviser Jake Kennedy detailed the group’s travels to the national competition in Orlando, Fla., from April 22-26.
Last month, senior Zach Horvath qualified for nationals by winning the state title in the Business Growth Plan event with his LLC Horvath Productions.
The duo of Marco Martinez and Alek Miller finished seventh in the state in the Sports & Entertainment Team Decision Making event.
Seniors Keagon Overton-Story, Lily Palmer and Maddie Williams, along with junior Mia Oppy, will represent BHS at the Ignite Leadership Academy in Orlando. This coincides with the national competition.
Local businesses and individuals donated $10,000 to pay for the entire trip. Kennedy thanked the community for their generous support.
Bellefontaine Middle School teacher Jordan Reser spoke about the 2024 trip to Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, Pa.
Reser is already laying the groundwork for next year’s trip, which will cost about $900 per participant, with student fundraisers planned.
The eighth-graders will experience history and government while having fun and seeing new sites.
Members also approved student handbooks for each building for 2023-24.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignations of guidance counselor Shawn Congleton, effective April 21; intervention specialist Robyn Torres, effective May 26; and Rhonda Judd, educational aide, effective May 25;
• approved long-term substitute pay status for Derrick Linniman, effective March 17;
• hired Deborah Dill as an educational aide; and Patricia St. Clair as the high school attendance secretary;
• approved Aidan Comstock to be a home/school tutor; and approved Melanie Lehman as a school tutor;
• approved the following summer school staff: Jenny Salyer, Megan Cira – administrators; Katie Cornell, Rebecca King, Tamara Frazier, paraprofessionals; and teachers Madeleine Beck, Sandi Chervenak, Catherine Eastman, Phil Forsythe, Carol Fultz, Lori Horn, D.J. Howell, Chelsea Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Diann Jordan, Lisa Plank, Joliece Reed, Jon Reminder and Ashley Reser;
• approved the following individuals to teach ABC Kindergarten Camp: Kylie Croston, Phil Forsythe, Tracy Huffman, Stacy Penhorwood, and paraprofessionals Lori Horn and
Tammy Schneider;
• hired Karen Deer for summer technology maintenance, and Stephen Funderburgh for summer maintenance;
• hosted a public hearing regarding Pam Patton, who is currently employed as a secretary, and will be seeking re-employment with the board of education in the same position; and
• recognized April Seniors of the Month Max Varner and Maggie Howard.
The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the Distance Learning Center at Bellefontaine High School.