After spending the summer working on more-efficient bus routes, Art Daniels, transportation director, presented the results to the Benjamin Logan (BL) Local School District Board of Education at their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 19.
Daniels, along with Jane Foreman and Jo Riedmiller, focused on making sure buses are full while also considering the amount of time students are on the bus. The latter was especially a matter of concern for the team.
As a result, the district will have 23 bus routes this year — two less than the 25 they had previously. In preparation for the changes, Daniels plans to have each driver run their route in the bus before school starts.
Superintendent John Scheu and the board commended Daniels and his team on the work they did.
“You’re the first director I’ve known who’s allowed the drivers a say in what they’re doing,” board member Karen Dill said.
Later, Scheu stated, “We don’t have it perfected yet, but we’re getting closer.”
Another main topic of discussion Monday night was the addendum stating the school’s new policy regarding cell phones for middle and high school students. This was necessary, Scheu reminded the board, due to House Bill 250, which Governor Mike DeWine signed into law in May.
Schools are required to adopt a cell phone policy restricting use in classrooms no later than July 2025.
Scheu presented a policy to “strengthen Benjamin Logan’s focus on learning, in alignment with our mission to ignite students’ passion for learning, cultivate a strong foundation of knowledge, and foster a sense of community within our schools.”
Daniels and Foreman also commented on the policy, expressing the need to apply it to school buses as well.
“The bus is an extension of the classroom,” Foreman said. “We need consistency from when they board the bus at 6:50 in the morning until they get off at 4:30.”
Scheu confirmed the current policy only applies to school buildings, adding the state’s wording doesn’t address buses either. He plans to talk to other districts to see how they’ve dealt with cell phones on the bus.
For now, cell phones and other portable electronic devices must be turned off and stored in student’s lockers during school hours.
Disciplinary procedures could involve a warning by the classroom teacher or confiscation of the device until the end of the day. Additional infractions during the school year could also lead to the device being taken to the office until a parent or guardian can pick it up.
In an update about Raider Care — an afterschool childcare option offered to parents — Scheu contended they have two issues to deal with.
First, the person who previously ran the program is no longer involved. After posting the job, the BL administration received only one applicant, but she turned it down. Now Scheu said they’re looking to hire two aides to split the work at $20 an hour each.
The second problem is having a deficit in spending on the program for the past four years at about $6,500. “We may have to raise the fee to break even,” Scheu stated.
Raider Care, which runs from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m. on weeknights, costs $3 an hour for the first child and $2 an hour for each additional child in the same family, according to the website. They are looking to increase that to cover expenses.
“We’re not trying to make money on it,” Scheu concluded, “but we shouldn’t have to subsidize it.”
In other action,
- Scheu recommended the board approve two new members to the district’s armed response team upon their completion of eight additional training hours.
- The board heard the district goals for the 2024-2025 school year. All five are measurable goals. Those are: Achieve a 4.5 or better overall rating on Ohio School Report Card; Financially end FY 2025 with revenues exceeding expenditures; 100 percent completion of science of reading certification by June 30, 2025; Maximize whole student learning by eliminating interruptions; Communicate with the community.
Board member Scott Spriggs expressed concern that he hadn’t had access to the list before the meeting and, after a lengthy discussion—specifically with high school principal Annette Ramga-Alatorre—voted against the motion. Nevertheless, it passed on a vote of three to one.
- Treasurer Leah Baker asked the board to approve the financial report for July 2024, including bank reconciliation, all bills for that month and the annual commercial paper reporting requirements, which they did.
- Approved a one-year limited contract (Aug. 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025) for Jeffrey Fox, custodian.
- Hire the listed individuals for detention, Saturday school and study tables: Joslin Lee, Jodie Kavanagh, Colleen Miller, David Wood, Shannon Peterson, Jane Hough, Abbey Shields and Lisa Daniels.
- The resignation of football JV/HS cheer coach Melissa Burgess was accepted.
- A supplemental contract for Gretchen Powell, middle school technology assistant, was approved.
- Accepted the following as presented: Bus stops for the 2024-2025 school year; cell phone usage addendum to student handbooks; Renewed lease agreement with Weekday Religious Education for $1.
- After approving the resignation of Cammie Honaker, effective June 30, the board appointed Karen Barns as trustee to fulfill the unexpired term for the appointment to the Belle Center Free Public Library. That term will end on Dec. 31.
- Several people and groups stepped up to improve the high school weight room. Those donations were $8,000 from the BL Athletic Booster and $14,000 from the BL football program for equipment, $14,000 given anonymously for flooring, and additional weight room equipment valued at $750 from Rod Bair.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16.