The Board of Education had a few tasks out of the ordinary on their agenda at Tuesday night’s June meeting. Board member Tim Archer was absent, and missed his opportunity to say “good-bye” to Board Vice-President Russell Bretz, who submitted his resignation to the Board, and will be moving to the Columbus area later this week. “It’s been difficult for me, making this decision,” Bretz said.
Bretz continued, “I have been involved in public education for 55 years. It’s a problem when someone comes on a board, because they have an “agenda”. We don’t have that here” After sharing a few nostalgic memories and stories, he concluded “Thank you for all the kind words” Mr. Bretz served 12 years on the Board of Education in North Baltimore.
District Principals are out on vacation/summer break so Superintendent Ryan Delaney had the only administrative update of the evening. Some of his highlights that he reported:
*The ball fields are looking great
*Lights have been added to the area where the district parks it’s buses
*130 new Chromebooks have arrived and are being “made ready” for the first day of school
*The sinkhole that manifested itself in the east parking lot ended up being much larger than first suspected. It has been filled with stone and will be paved soon.
* Open gym has been “packed” with many students interested in strength training, weightlifting, etc.
*There are 30 Powell students, 14 Middle School students, and 12 NBHS students attending Summer School this year. This is an unusually high turnout.
*There will be a 10 day period for interested applicants to apply for Mr. Bretz’s vacant positionn, once it is advertised/announced.
* A school in the Canton area, GlenOak, has donated some “turf” that they were getting rid of to the district. It will be placed in the Fieldhouse.
At the Superintendent’s recommendation, and with the Board’s approval, Mr. Mark Lange, of Wadsworth was offered a 2 year contract as Powell Elementary Principal (annual salary $74,000). He will begin August 1. He was with the Hillsdale School District in Ashland County. He grew up in the area between Archbold and Napoleon, and is desiring to move back closer to this area, as his parents are aging.
In other Board action, Board member Mrs. Jaimye Bushey was elected Vice President, to fill that vacancy created by Mr. Bretz’s resignation.
Multiple supplemental contracts for various duties were approved. Several contracts, agreements, and reimbursements were approved.
Powell fees for the 2016-2017 year are $46.00 per student. Parents will receive a $5 discount for paying prior to the end of the first grading period.
After the adjournment of the meeting, refreshments were provided to celebrate both Mr. Bretz’s service, and to welcome Mr. Lange.
