District accepts resignations of three long-term employees
With thousands of dollars on the line, Benjamin Logan (BL) High School has been preparing for the pep rally to end all pep rallies at 8:05 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19. Superintendent John Scheu told the district board of education about the unique opportunity at their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 16.
Earlier this school year, Annette Ramga-Alatorre, high school principal, learned about the Jostens® Epic School Revamp™ Contest. It matched the work they’d already done on the school logo and could earn them a prize package valued at up to $150,000.
Alatorre presented the idea to Sally Stolly, director of administrative services, and the two women worked together to prepare the submission. They had help from Myles Bowers, high school band director and music teacher. Bowers and some of his students wrote and created the video part of their application.
“We submitted everything in November,” Alatorre said, “and last week I got word we’re a top-three finalist.”
The company schedules site visits with their finalists, offering them a chance to prove they have more school spirit than their competitors.
With the pep band leading them into the rally, Alatorre promised it would be “loud and obnoxious,” but still encouraged board members to attend.
When Jostens called and said they were coming on Thursday, though, Alatorre responded, “No, you won’t.” It was the first time the company had been turned down, she added, but the students will be taking exams and Alatorre wouldn’t let their education be interrupted.
So they scheduled the 20-minute rally for early that morning.
Of course they’re hoping for first place, but the runner-up prize, valued up to $37,500, would also be great for the school. The grand prize includes SchoolMark® installations, branding updates and attendance to the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference.
Jostens is an American manufacturer known for producing school memorabilia like yearbooks, class rings and letterman jackets.
Resignations
Scheu reluctantly submitted the resignations of three employees who have spent most of their careers serving the students of the Benjamin Logan School District.
Guidance counselor Susan Headings, who plans to retire on May 31, 2025, has been with BL for 20 out of her 30 years with the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS).
Andy Higgins, school psychologist, plans to retire next year too, effective June 30, 2025, after 18 years at BL. He has been with STRS for 33 years.
And Tammy James will continue as an educational assistant until she retires on May 31, 2025. James has put in 30 years in the State Employees Retirement System. She spent her first four years at BL as an Educational Service Center employee, then the last 26 with the Benjamin Logan district.
Special Education Services
Colleen Bodin, director of special education services at BL schools, gave a snapshot of the department to the board. Currently serving 189 students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), the district emphasizes “fostering a knowledgeable and compassionate special education staff through targeted professional development opportunities.”
“We have a really strong intervention staff,” Bodin added. “And we have great people who work beside them and have the supplies they need to be successful.”
When asked if she’d been able to catch up on what needed to be done, Bodin said she’d worked more on preschool than she’d anticipated as the numbers continue to rise. “We need to be mindful of that,” she concluded.
“Overseeing this program is a huge responsibility, and Colleen has done a phenomenal job,” Scheu stated. “It’s so hard to get good IT teachers, and we’re blessed with that.”
In other board action:
- December Seniors of the Month Mia Stahler and Eric Hughes will be recognized at the January 13 board meeting.
- The November 2024 financial report was approved. It included bank reconciliation, financial summaries, and a $500 grant from the Logan County Agriculture Impact Fund to Shelly Lane and Spencer Reames for agricultural initiatives.
- In personnel, the board approved:
- The resignation of bus driver Brenda Mitchell, effective Dec. 11, 2024, for further employment.
- New employment of substitutes Jamie Gill, teacher; Cole Carpenter, bus driver; and Ryan Kerns, Raider care aide.
- BL graduate Charity Zimmerman will serve as a musical director for the high school.
- The board approved the Quiz Bowl team’s trip to the small school national championship tournament in Rosemont, Ill., from April 25-27, 2025.
- Policy update 43.1 and special update to policy 2265 were reviewed and approved. According to Scheu, the latter is significant because of recent bills in the state legislature, and it was recommended they pass the policy update as soon as possible.
“It provides protections of individual beliefs,” Scheu said. “We can’t impose our beliefs or ideals on a person applying for a position.” Though he admitted this hasn’t been a problem at the district, Monday’s action makes it a permanent policy. - Accepted donations were $465 in memory of Delores Pettit to support families in need, and cheer signs created by Miller Graphics, valued at $630, were donated by Bob Shaw and WPKO.
- The board approved Valerie Kerns as indoor track coach for high school and middle school teams.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.