November 22, 2017 at 5:06 p.m.
School board backs SB216
School board backs SB216
FORT RECOVERY — In recent weeks, school boards in North Canton, Millbury, Matamoras and St. Marys have all thrown their support behind a bill designed to shift some control over schools from the state back to local boards.
On Tuesday, Fort Recovery Local Schools added its name to that list.
Fort Recovery School Board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to support Ohio Senate Bill 216, also known as the Ohio Public School Deregulation Act.
Also Monday, board members heard a proposal to work with Fort Recovery Ministerial Association on programs for students.
Senate Bill 216, introduced Oct. 1 by Sen. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), calls for a variety of changes involving the state’s teacher evaluation system, licensure, assessments, College Credit Plus and other issues. Among the key provisions of the bill are:
•Revising the framework for evaluating teachers, based on recommendations from the Educator Standards Board, no later than May 1, 2018. Student growth would also be eliminated as a factor in evaluations.
•Allowing school districts to employ a licensed teacher to provide instruction in a subject area or grade in which s/he is not licensed.
•Eliminating the kindergarten readiness assessment.
•Requiring the state department of education to conduct a study on the results and effectiveness of the College Credit Plus program.
•Permitting districts to administer third, fourth and fifth grade state assessments in paper or online formats.
•Requiring the state test provider (American Institutes of Research) to give analysis on how questions are aligned to the Ohio academic standards.
“Over the last several years, I know a number of the board members have contacted representatives about maybe not all of these things but different pieces of these,” said board member Jose Faller.
On Tuesday, Fort Recovery Local Schools added its name to that list.
Fort Recovery School Board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to support Ohio Senate Bill 216, also known as the Ohio Public School Deregulation Act.
Also Monday, board members heard a proposal to work with Fort Recovery Ministerial Association on programs for students.
Senate Bill 216, introduced Oct. 1 by Sen. Matt Huffman (R-Lima), calls for a variety of changes involving the state’s teacher evaluation system, licensure, assessments, College Credit Plus and other issues. Among the key provisions of the bill are:
•Revising the framework for evaluating teachers, based on recommendations from the Educator Standards Board, no later than May 1, 2018. Student growth would also be eliminated as a factor in evaluations.
•Allowing school districts to employ a licensed teacher to provide instruction in a subject area or grade in which s/he is not licensed.
•Eliminating the kindergarten readiness assessment.
•Requiring the state department of education to conduct a study on the results and effectiveness of the College Credit Plus program.
•Permitting districts to administer third, fourth and fifth grade state assessments in paper or online formats.
•Requiring the state test provider (American Institutes of Research) to give analysis on how questions are aligned to the Ohio academic standards.
“Over the last several years, I know a number of the board members have contacted representatives about maybe not all of these things but different pieces of these,” said board member Jose Faller.
“It sounds like they’re listening and trying to do something.”
The bill has been referred to the senate’s transportation, commerce and labor committee.
Board members Ginny Fortkamp, Aaron Guggenbiller, Mitch Ervin, Mike Grube and Faller also heard from First Church of Christ Pastor David Nicholson, representing Fort Recovery Ministerial Association, about the possibility of partnering on some initiatives.
Nichols told the board there is interest among local ministers to start an effort to help supply book bags and school supplies to students in need at the start of each school year. He said the association would like to coordinate with the school on what items are needed and to make sure that they get to the students who need them most.
“When you start looking at all the supplies and you’re lower income and you have two or three (kids), it’s kind of hard,” said Nicholson. “And it’s hard on the kids too, sometimes. … When they’re little, it’s so nice for them to have the brand new stuff.”
He also mentioned the possibility of working together to hold student-oriented events following home football games.
“It sounds like a couple of tremendous opportunities that we can obviously have more discussion about,” said Fort Recovery Local Schools superintendent Justin Firks. “But any time that we can help kids, I don’t think there’s ever going to be an argument (against) that.”
In other business, the board:
•Recognized the football team for its success this year. The Indians finished 6-5 and made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
•Approved the following: paying $402.12 to teacher Abby Scheidt to replace an iPhone that was destroyed during a work-related incident; payment of $1,740 to Gaggle Net and $5,424.50 to Final Forms for invoices dated for July; an advance of $5,000 to the Title IV fund from the general fund; a variety of policy revisions on topics including College Credit Plus, attendance, drug prevention and bus driver certification; agreements to deposit public funds at Second National Bank and Fifth Third Bank; indoor track as a club sport and the school system’s gifted policy.
•Introduced new assistant treasurer Deanna Knapke. She was hired for the position at a special meeting last week.
•Heard from elementary school principal Tracy Hein-Westgerdes that the school will host a Laffalot Summer Camp from July 16 through 20. She also reminded the board about upcoming events, including the second grade Christmas program at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 9 and Gingerbread House Night on Dec. 12.
•Learned from principal Tony Stahl that middle school student council organized its annual Operation Christmas Child drive that brought in nearly 2,000 items. The program, run by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, collects and delivers shoeboxes of supplies and gifts to those in need.
•Approved Payton Thobe as a volunteer swim coach, Todd Bevington as a volunteer indoor track coach and Darien Sheffer as a volunteer fifth and sixth grade boys basketball coach.
•Accepted $11,300 in donations.
•Set its 2018 organizational meeting for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9. The regular meeting will follow. Also introduced newly elected board members Greg LeFevre and Nick Wehrkamp. They will take over the seats currently held by Ginny Fortkamp and Aaron Guggenbiller. Board pay for 2018 was set at $80 per meeting.
The bill has been referred to the senate’s transportation, commerce and labor committee.
Board members Ginny Fortkamp, Aaron Guggenbiller, Mitch Ervin, Mike Grube and Faller also heard from First Church of Christ Pastor David Nicholson, representing Fort Recovery Ministerial Association, about the possibility of partnering on some initiatives.
Nichols told the board there is interest among local ministers to start an effort to help supply book bags and school supplies to students in need at the start of each school year. He said the association would like to coordinate with the school on what items are needed and to make sure that they get to the students who need them most.
“When you start looking at all the supplies and you’re lower income and you have two or three (kids), it’s kind of hard,” said Nicholson. “And it’s hard on the kids too, sometimes. … When they’re little, it’s so nice for them to have the brand new stuff.”
He also mentioned the possibility of working together to hold student-oriented events following home football games.
“It sounds like a couple of tremendous opportunities that we can obviously have more discussion about,” said Fort Recovery Local Schools superintendent Justin Firks. “But any time that we can help kids, I don’t think there’s ever going to be an argument (against) that.”
In other business, the board:
•Recognized the football team for its success this year. The Indians finished 6-5 and made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
•Approved the following: paying $402.12 to teacher Abby Scheidt to replace an iPhone that was destroyed during a work-related incident; payment of $1,740 to Gaggle Net and $5,424.50 to Final Forms for invoices dated for July; an advance of $5,000 to the Title IV fund from the general fund; a variety of policy revisions on topics including College Credit Plus, attendance, drug prevention and bus driver certification; agreements to deposit public funds at Second National Bank and Fifth Third Bank; indoor track as a club sport and the school system’s gifted policy.
•Introduced new assistant treasurer Deanna Knapke. She was hired for the position at a special meeting last week.
•Heard from elementary school principal Tracy Hein-Westgerdes that the school will host a Laffalot Summer Camp from July 16 through 20. She also reminded the board about upcoming events, including the second grade Christmas program at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 9 and Gingerbread House Night on Dec. 12.
•Learned from principal Tony Stahl that middle school student council organized its annual Operation Christmas Child drive that brought in nearly 2,000 items. The program, run by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, collects and delivers shoeboxes of supplies and gifts to those in need.
•Approved Payton Thobe as a volunteer swim coach, Todd Bevington as a volunteer indoor track coach and Darien Sheffer as a volunteer fifth and sixth grade boys basketball coach.
•Accepted $11,300 in donations.
•Set its 2018 organizational meeting for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9. The regular meeting will follow. Also introduced newly elected board members Greg LeFevre and Nick Wehrkamp. They will take over the seats currently held by Ginny Fortkamp and Aaron Guggenbiller. Board pay for 2018 was set at $80 per meeting.
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