By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Schools has a plan – and district leaders want to know what the public thinks about it.
After months of meetings, a school facilities committee has come to the conclusion that the district’s top priority should be a new high school. A community meeting was held last week to explain the plan. http://bgindependentmedia.org/new-high-school-ranked-as-top-priority-for-bg-city-schools/
A second public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22, at 6 p.m., in the Performing Arts Center. The facilities committee – which was made up of a cross section of the community – will explain the plan, and the public will be given time to ask questions and voice opinions.
“We know the time is now,” Superintendent Francis Scruci said during the board of education meeting on Tuesday. “We can’t waste any more time, or kick the can down the road.”
The decision to make the high school a top priority is due to the conditions at the high school, and in response to the divided feelings about whether the district should build one new consolidated elementary or two new elementaries.
The public is invited to tour the high school on Thursday, March 17, at 7 p.m. Principal Dan Black will lead the tour.
School Board President Jill Carr assured the public that while the high school is the top priority, the board has not forgotten about the elementary buildings.
“The needs in our elementary buildings will be addressed,” she said.
Carr also said the board will keep the community updated on progress.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, board member Ryan Myers reported on the air conditioning project underway at the high school, Conneaut and Kenwood elementaries. Installation is continuing this week at the high school, will start next week at Kenwood, and will start the first week of April at Conneaut.
This work is the installation of the mini-split systems, with the electrical work to follow later, Myers said.
Also at the meeting, Scruci reported about the new dyslexia programs required for all public school districts in Ohio. Unfortunately, he said, the requirements have not been established yet, other than the program will require teachers to get 18 hours of training.
“This is a much needed move,” Scruci said of the effort to address dyslexia by schools. “It’s a move in the right direction.”
Board member Norm Geer reported that teacher Paul Reinhart will be retiring from leading the Bowling Green Schools Foundation. Taking over the leadership role will be Joe Edens and Dave Anderson, who plan to focus on fundraising and exposure for the organization, Geer said.
Also underway is the creation of an alumni association for BGHS graduates and former teachers, Geer added.
In other business, Conneaut Principal Alyssa Karaffa talked about the upcoming retirement of Kimberly Hackworth-Tussing, the secretary at Conneaut.
Hackworth-Tussing, who started her career with Bowling Green City Schools in 1989, is an expert at helping sad children, supporting staff, and dealing with disgruntled community members, Karaffa said. She is sometimes called the “Wizard of Oz,” because she can fix anything, the principal said.
“Her support for Bowling Green City Schools, students and staff has been unwavering,” Karaffa said.
Also at the meeting, the board:
- Learned a school finance workshop will be held March 26, at 9 a.m., in the central administration office.
- Changed the next board meeting from April 19 to April 26.
- Approved a land lease agreement for the property previously farmed by the FFA, north of the middle school. Austin Fiebelkorn has offered to farm the land and donate the proceeds to the FFA for scholarships.
- Learned of $4,864 in donations to the district last month. Board member Ginny Stewart reported that the principals are very grateful for all the donations, but the needs continue. She suggested people wanting to donate consider water bottles, cooler clothing for kids, rain gear, snacks and hygiene products.
