By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Board of Education heard the good news first Tuesday evening.
The new “Lunch Bunch” program at Conneaut Elementary is making lunchtime much less hectic. The improved district report cards have resulted in recognition from the state. And safety measures in buildings and training of staff are taking place.
Then came the bad news.
The board was accused of stripping the Constitution from the district’s core values, and not responding to requests for public records. The board president was chided for exaggerating the poor conditions of the older school buildings.
Steve Bateson talks about task force process.
Steve Bateson, a member of the school facilities task force, said the meetings have been very informational – with people on all sides of the issue engaging together. But he cautioned that the solution to the district’s building problems will not come quickly.
“This is going to be a slow process,” Bateson said.
Bateson was critical of School Board President Jill Carr making a comment during a previous meeting about watching “our buildings deteriorate before our eyes.” Bateson said Conneaut and Kenwood appear to be well maintained.
After Tuesday’s meeting, Carr defended her statement of concern about the two oldest elementaries which were built in the 1950s.
“I said that, and I stand by that,” Carr said.
Brenda Pike asks board about vision for school buildings.
Another task force member, Brenda Pike asked the board about its “vision for the future” for students – whether that vision would include traditional classrooms or more open, flexible spaces.
Board member Bill Clifford said his vision is for “all of the above,” with some more conventional classrooms and some creative spaces.
Pike told the board it would be helpful to know the district’s philosophy as the task force is looking at options.
Board member Ginny Stewart said she had hoped the task forces would be seeking input from district curriculum specialists.
“I would hope you would engage the curriculum director,” Stewart said. While there are several teachers on the task forces, no administrative staff has yet been asked for input at the task force meetings.
Ann McCarthy, executive director of teaching and learning for the district, explained to Pike that flexible learning spaces furnished with flexible seating would be better for students.
“If we build a building of today, we are shooting ourselves in the foot,” McCarthy said.
Stewart agreed that traditional learning spaces are obsolete when it comes to today’s educational practices.
Dallas Black criticizes board for not sharing records.
Also at the meeting, parent Dallas Black criticized the board for removing commitment to the U.S. Constitution from the district’s core values. He objected to the board practice of now requiring those in attendance to sign up if they want to speak during board meetings.
“Are you just going to continue to take away community rights,” Black asked.
Black accused Carr of not complying with requests for open records. In an effort to practice what he called “public shaming,” Black passed out a request for board members’ public and personal emails about a board matter.
Board President Jill Carr and Vice President Ginny Stewart
After the meeting, Carr said School Treasurer Cathy Schuller has responded to requests from many citizens for board communications on certain topics. Schuller said she had complied with all the requests she has received.
Also after the meeting, Black said he had received copies of previous correspondences that he had requested. However, he was denied in cases where the requests were deemed to be too broad, Black said.
(A story on the other matters discussed at the board meeting will follow.)
