The North Baltimore Local Schools Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening at 2012 Tiger Drive. All Board members were present, except Mrs. Cheryl Cotterman.
After the traditional opening of the meeting, President Tami Thomas invited Patrick Nicolaus, of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company to speak to the Board on the refinancing of the existing (2009) School District Improvement bonds, which has the potential to save the district more than $800,000.
The Board approved a resolution to refinance the Bonds if a favorable interest rate can be obtained. There would be no penalty or cost involved if they decide they don’t want to proceed with the transaction. The sale of the new bonds would take place July 13th. The deal would be finalized and closed by August. Treasurer Eve Baldwin commented that transactions such as these are common and have to be reviewed by a state board’s “Bond Counsel”. That committee has already approved this deal, as acceptable.
In Mr. Delaney’s report, he ran through the list of end-of-the-year events that are happening right now. He reminded the Board that Commencement is Sunday, May 29th.
Principal’s Report-Dr. Bob Falkenstein
Recap of PROM, Senior Picnic, Rehearsal,
Commencement-Sunday at 2:00pm.
State Track Meet, June 3-4 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Ohio—Tiffin Regionals Wednesday, then could be 1-3 students participating at State level
Great news: our paper use is way down. As a result of Chromebooks and online curriculum, we used about 1 less PALLET of paper this year!
Proposed Handbook Changes for 2016-2017: See separate article here on theNBXpress
Principal’s Report-Mrs. Pam VanMooy
Powell Elementary is in the final days of 2015-2016 and what a wonderful year we have had! Teachers and students enjoyed a number of activities as a building this year that helped to build a sense of “community”. We had a successful Open House before school began, a Fall Festival for students around Halloween, Donuts for Dads, Bouncey Houses for good behavior two times this year, an Art Show, Muffins for Moms, a Volleyball game between staff and students, a couple of illustrators who visited us, a Christmas Sing a long, and a Make It Take It Night. We held conferences twice during the year, participated in a Penny Drive for the Findlay City Mission, Food Drive for Holiday Baskets, Penny Drive for Lymphoma research with Family Video, Mc Donald’s Nights for Camp and the Jr. High Washington trip, a school wide fund raiser, and numerous field trips. We also completed the statewide testing, diagnostic testing, state testing for kindergarten, benchmark testing periodically through the year, I Ready testing, and other classroom assessments that helped to drive our instruction.
On April 28 we welcomed Jeanette and Christopher Canyon. These talented illustrators from Columbus gave several talks to students during the day. They explained what tools they use to create their special artwork used in the books. They then did a presentation for parents and students in the evening. We also had an elementary art show on display during the same time!
We are pleased to announce that the anonymous donor who has generously provided all of the school supplies for our Preschool through 6th grade students for the last few years has once again notified us that they want to continue the tradition for next year. This can be a huge financial burden to parents in the fall. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
“Muffins for Moms” was held on May 13, 2016 at 7:15 am. Approximately 400 children and their moms, stepmoms, or grandmas came for this traditional event at Powell! Mr. Pack had the High School Jazz Band provide the entertainment!
Field Trips have been planned for our grade levels that tie to an educational standard or unit of study. We have sent children to the Imagination Station, the farm, Sauder’s Museum, the Neil Armstrong Museum, the Toledo Zoo, Oak Openings, the Mud Hens game, Art Museum and the W. W. Knight Nature Reserve. We also sent 6th graders to Camp Storer in the fall. These experiences outside the classroom are very important as it opens up the world outside North Baltimore for our children. Thank you for allowing this wonderful experience.
We were so pleased to welcome guests of our students on KISS Day this afternoon. Our students invited a guest to join them in an activity in the classroom, an ice cream treat, and an activity in the gym! What a wonderful time to share why this school is special!
End of the Year Activities:
Field Day and Class Picnics on Wednesday
6th Grade & DARE Graduation on Wednesday evening
Bouncey Houses for good behavior on Thursday
Awards Assembly, Scholastic Luncheon on Friday
At the end of the Treasurer’s report, the Board accepted the request to retire from District Treasurer , Eve. M. Baldwin. Her last day will be December 31, 2016, pending SERS certification. She shared her official letter with those in attendance, and also this quote from John Wayne:” Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. It comes unto us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. Tomorrow hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.” She then continued, “I know I’ve learned a lot from all my yesterdays working together with the NB School Family! I want to thank the board, the NB staff, and the community for all of my 26 years here. I wish the best of luck for a bright future for North Baltimore.”
The Board approved a Five Year Administrative contract for Ryan Delaney, beginning August 1, 2017 with a base salary of $96,805.
After the vote, Mr. Delaney replied, “”It’s a true honor for me. I promise I’ll make you proud for the next five years.”
The board also accepted the resignation of Mr. Scott Lockwood as elementary principal, effective at the end of his current contract July 31, 2016, and approved a one year disability Leave for teacher Anthony Mulholland through June 1, 2017.
The Board also accepted an anonymous donation valued at approximately $9000, for consumable supplies for grades PreK-6. Delaney responded, “A Big Thank you! That’s a lot of Money!”
