The Benjamin Logan (BL) Local School District is ready to improve their technology, and the board of education approved an almost $300,000 contract to do just that at their regular meeting on Monday, March 17.
“It keeps us current with technology,” Superintendent John Scheu explained. The upgrades will include fiber optics throughout the BL campus providing “long-term benefits.”
Thanks to the federal government’s e-rate program, the district only has to pay 30 percent of the $288,895 owed to the Western Ohio Computer Organization for category 2 services, which includes new switches and cable runs. A contract for MIBS services adds another $8,300 to the price.
“We have some very old things that need to be replaced,” Nicolas George, information technology services director, said, adding these will be “top to bottom upgrades” that “will last,” even as standards rise.
The out-of-pocket cost to the district will be around $87,000.
School Psychologist
Another topic of concern relates to the difficulty the district has had finding a school psychologist. According to Scheu, they’ve only received one application and the person wasn’t qualified.
With that in mind, Scheu recommended looking for someone in-house with a special education background who could help while earning their psychology degree.
Colleen Bodin, director of special education services at BL schools, told the board the district has 235 students on IEPs. If they find someone on the current staff who fits the requirements and is interested in the position, their initial salary would remain as it is, then increase once they finish their degree.
Of course, since this would be a full-time job, the school would need to hire someone to fill their current position. The board agreed with the plan to move in this direction.
New Curriculum
The BL board approved new ELA curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The McGraw-Hill proposal, as presented, gives the school a six-year subscription to Wonders, an evidence-based K-5 program that delivers “high-quality literacy instruction aligned to the science of reading.”
Admitting the cost of the program is around $186,000, Scheu stated it has been “a number of years since we had ELA revision.” The principal’s office had narrowed the options down to two before choosing Wonders, which requires a six-year commitment.
The program includes online access, workbooks, handwriting supplementals and cursive instruction beginning in second grade.
Superintendent Report
A decision has been made to not hire a permanent substitute teacher. With that in mind, Scheu said they have canceled the planned retire/rehire meeting scheduled for April 21.
Grace Frangis and Bryden Morris were recognized as the March Seniors of the Month by Annette Alatorre, high school principal.
Next, each of the school principals gave their monthly updates, starting with Deepika Scheiderer, middle school assistant principal. Scheiderer told the board they are wrapping up iReady testing and, she added, “We are thrilled to see the progress the majority of our students have made in reading and math.
“These encouraging results set a strong foundation as we prepare for state testing and our end-of-year celebration,” Scheiderer said.
Plans are underway to enhance tutoring and Scheiderer expressed satisfaction with their Collins Writing professional development, which is in its final phase. She concluded by saying they’re pleased to see that elementary and fifth-grade staff have selected the same ELA curriculum, which allows collaboration.
Holly Barr, elementary school principal, also spoke about iReady testing. In addition, they’re revisiting the math section of their grade cards. “What should standard-based grades look like?” she asked.
The middle school is hosting their math/literature game night Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 7 p.m.
During her report, Alatorre announced six of the 13 students who participated in the Business Professionals of America state competition qualified for nationals, which will be in Orlando, Florida.
In addition, the high school quiz bowl team won the CBC and will move on to the national competition as well, which is in April.
Alatorre said their production of Grease was a success over the weekend with sold-out shows. In other music news, the jazz band will perform as the opening act for the Springfield Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, March 22.
In other action, the board:
• accepted resignations from Jackie Thompson, teacher; Linda Thompson, educational assistant; and Lindsay Rose, guidance counselor; and from Scott LeVan, teacher (retirement);
• approved deduct days for Kandie Brown, March 11, 13 and 14;
• extended supplemental contracts for the 2024-25 for Sheridon Storm, middle school assistant track; and Jamie Gill, middle school boys head track (correction from Feb. 17 approval);
• approved a proposed honors European history trip, July 15-26, 2027, under the leadership of Trisha Hemmelgarn at a cost per student of $5,769;
• accepted Katie Butler’s volunteer service as a guard/majorette/flag adviser;
• accepted a $500 grant from The Big Yellow School Bus;
• accepted a $500 anonymous donation to pay end-of-year negative balances for qualifying free and reduced families.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, April 21.