“We’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” John Scheu, Benjamin Logan Local School District (BL) superintendent, told the board of education at their regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 20. “We’ve been stuck more times than not.”
Scheu spoke in relation to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with bus drivers who participate in transportation training. Previously, many individuals went through the program at BL but didn’t stay to work with the district.
After putting the time and money into training a new driver, they didn’t anticipate people taking that knowledge and moving on. And yet, Scheu said, “We do all the work and then they leave and never drive a bus for Ben Logan.”
The new MOU requires participants to sign off on a commitment to stay with the district at least two years or repay the cost it took to train them. BL’s board approved the measure.
During her monthly update, high school principal Annette Alatorre encouraged the board to attend the girls district semifinal soccer game scheduled to start at 7 that night. This compelled Scheu to work through the meeting agenda quickly so they could finish in time for the game. That led to some concern, though.
“They’re playing on a field that took a nasty hit from wind on Sunday,” Scheu explained. “We’re checking to see what needs to be done … but I hope it does not impact the game tonight.”
Though the track and football field weren’t affected, fortunately, many things were blown around and there was significant damage to the press box roof that needs to be addressed. They plan to notify people not to go up there as it’s too dangerous.
One soccer goal was caught up in a gust and destroyed, and a small section of the track, which Scheu said is used as a staging area and not for competition, needs to be replaced as well, but that’s minor.
They’ll present everything to their insurance, which has a $5,000 deductible.
Monday’s meeting also included a presentation from the Logan County Education Foundation. Lois Stoll, executive director of the Foundation, updated the board on the foundation’s current initiatives and introduced five of the six trustees — Melony Baker, Tami Himmeger, Danielle Jenkins, Terri Penhorwood and Bill Ramsey. The sixth, Jackie Tingley, wasn’t at the meeting.
Stoll highlighted the new Legacy Scholarship Fund to help a BL student and shared the parameters. Their goal is to offer a student scholarship of $11,500.
To be eligible, the recipient must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, have been a BL student at least three years, and plan to attend a trade, technical, two-year or four-year school after graduating. In addition, they should “be active in school organizations that support community endeavors,” or show they are involved in community service.
Penhorwood presented the first seed donation of $550 as a contribution from the BL Class of 1980. They hope it will inspire all past, present and future BL graduating classes to support the fund.
Stoll said they plan to start the program next year and added the district is “off to a nice start.”
Building highlights
As per usual, each principal updated the board on what’s happening at their respective school.
Elementary Principal Holly Barr told the board third-grade ELA state testing is underway and parent-teacher conferences were “well-attended.” They will follow up with the families who couldn’t make it through phone calls or ParentSquare.
She thanked Honda for the surprise last week of 24 balance bikes from All Kids Bike. “There’s something about seeing the excitement as [the kindergartners] chose a bike,” Barr said. The bikes and gear were paid for by a Honda grant.
For the third consecutive year, the middle school earned a 4.5-star rating on the Ohio State report card, according to Todd Shadley, principal. They had strong marks in progress, gap closing and achievement.
In addition, they transformed the former Gaga Pit into a new outdoor learning space with benches and picnic tables. They’re considering allowing eighth-graders to eat lunch there during nice weather.
Alatorre focused on upcoming high school athletic events, like the girls soccer and volleyball teams competing at the district semifinals, and this Friday’s last home football game of the season, which is also senior night.
Other future high school activities include the Show Choir Spectacular on Saturday, Nov. 1, and performances of Death of a Salesman on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15.
Finally, Alatorre stated they had strong participation at the recent parent-teacher conferences and noted 45 students would be inducted into the National Honor Society during an all-school assembly Oct. 21.
Treasurer Report
Treasurer Leah Baker updated the board on several bills currently moving through the Ohio state house and senate this month. She concluded by saying all of the bills mentioned “would affect Benjamin Logan if they do get passed.”
After accepting the September 2025 financial report, bank reconciliation and financial statements, and all September 2025 bills, the board also approved:
- Authorization of a $50,000 advance from the general fund to athletics to be repaid by July 2026.
- Amended appropriations for fiscal year adjustments.
Personnel
Regarding personnel, the board approved the following:
- New classified hires Elissa McMillen and Tamara Schneider, educational assistants.
- Hourly employment (as needed) for Aryn Forsythe, Ryan Kerns and Erin Woodward, Raider Care ($20/hour); and Carrie McCullough, bus driver.
- Detention, Saturday school and study tables employment to Cody LeMay and Abbey Shields.
- Hiring of substitutes (2025-2026 school year) Colleen Bodin and Richard “Allen” Campbell, bus drivers.
- ESC substitute list for the 2025-2026 school year at a rate of $130 per day.
- Supplemental athletic contracts upon completion of all Ohio revised code requirements—Boys basketball: Eric Nichols and Tate Stratton (MS), Perry Carper (freshmen), Joel Phillips (JV), Scott Vermillion (HS head coach); Girls basketball: Josh Titlow and Brian Gehle (MS), Abbie Boop (JV); Bowling: Barney Sullivan (HS boys); Cheer: Gretchen Powell (MS); Swimming: Mitch Sweeney (HS boys), Andrea Schmidt (HS girls); Wrestling: Sam Baker and Tony Pendergraff (MS), Matt Marshall and Kiel Henry (HS assistants), Bryan Newland (HS head girls); Weight room: Kevin Butler (assistant coordinator), Joe Webb (head coordinator).
- Supplemental non-athletic contracts upon completion of all Ohio revised code requirements—Chelsey Webb, musical director.
- In a separate action, a supplemental contract for the 2025-2026 school year was approved for Alison Spriggs, basketball varsity cheer coach.
- The stipend for Spriggs to go on the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. overnight trip last May, which was approved then rescinded, was approved again.
In other board action:
- Winnie Bodin and Wyatt LeVan were named October Seniors of the Month.
- Sally Green, representing the Ohio School Boards Association, provided an update.
- A second reading of policy update 44.1, which includes nondiscrimination updates and the special update. Areas include student attendance, digital accessibility, audit and finance, employment nondiscrimination and school safety.
- The board accepted donations of $150—Buckey Local Class of 1965 (lunch fees), $200—Belle Center United Presbyterian Church (lunch/school fees), $500—Zanesfield United Methodist Church (students in need), $1,000—anonymous (lunch fees), $500—Dana Henry, in memory of Carolyn Barnes (third-grade classroom needs).
- Approved volunteer services—HS boys basketball: Jim Stanford and Rob Powell; MS boys basketball: Davontae Fahle; HS girls basketball: Adam Butcher; MS girls basketball: Brad Stafford and Lynzee Cronkleton; Competition cheer: Kristy Daniels; MS competition cheer: Elanie McWade; Bowling: Keri L. Sullivan (boys), Debra Ward and Erica Warne (girls); Swimming: Macy Ward, Tom Braddock, Colleen Bodin, Audreau Coleman; Wrestling: Connor Stewart, Kane Betz, Jordy Buck.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17.
