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Concerns voiced about school schedule |
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Thursday, 12 March 2009 |
By ANGELA WEAVER
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — A local resident voiced her opinion on a scheduling issue to a full house at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting.
Carol Brown told board members she was against the proposed all-student study hall.
“I heard it’s taking away from the music department, choir department and their opportunity to go to college,” she said. “I feel it’s important our kids get this education if they qualify to go.”
Superintendent Mary Riepenhoff said the district has found other options than the study hall.
“At this point, the schedule has been accommodated to house three lunches,” she said. “We were able to revise the schedule that keeps all eight periods and no mandatory study hall.”
With Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed education plan, Riepenhoff said the district would be studying its options.
“At this point, Mr. Makley is going into the next school year to address options,” she said. “The governor’s proposal could affect the high school.”
Memorial High School Principal Mike Makley told the board what options current students have for education outside the high school.
“There’s the post-secondary program and the dual enrollment program, which we implemented this year,” he said, adding that the school has an adjunct professor on hand to teach certain classes. “We’re very proud to expand our advanced placement program to seven courses now. It’s a real scheduling challenge to have as many options we have.”
Board members also:
• Approved a resolution for additional white boards and tack strips at West and East Elementary buildings.
“The white boards we ordered wouldn’t be large enough to cover the space,” Riepenhoff said.
Business Manager Kurt Kuffner said the district had two options — enlarge the white boards or drywall the entire wall and use the ordered boards.
“The folks from Humble told us it would be much less to order the boards,” he said, adding that the boards are co-funded.
• Approved a resolution to award a flooring contract for the new building and the additional cost for the East gymnasium flooring to Legacy Commercial Flooring. Kuffner estimated the cost to be more than $805,000.
• Approved a resolution setting a bid date for the hot water piping work in the 1959 wings at the two elementary buildings for March 27, with the bids opening at 10 a.m.
Kuffner estimated the cost for both buildings to be approximately $250,000 to $275,000.
“This is the time to do it,” Kuffner said, adding that the OSFC will pay 61 percent of the cost.
• Adopted a resolution accepting the rates determined by the Auglaize County Budget Commission authorizing the tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
• Approved stipends for the mentors of entry- year teachers.
• Amended the five-year forecast.
• Entered into a 2009 service agreement with the Auglaize County Office of Homeland Security.
• Approved an easement at the site of the new school.
“What is presented will go to the planning commission,” Riepenhoff said.
• Accepted a $2,800 donation from the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a donation of $250 from the St. Marys Kiwanis to go toward the First Tee National School Program. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 17 March 2009 )
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