By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education took the first step Tuesday toward putting an income tax renewal on the May 2017 ballot.
The millage will remain at 0.5 percent, but the duration of the income tax is still unknown. District Treasurer Rhonda Melchi said that timing will be known when the school board takes the next step in January to put the tax issue on the ballot.
The income tax generates $3.34 million annually.
The income tax for the district began in January of 1993 and has been renewed every five years since. It makes up 11 percent of the district’s general fund revenue.
Earlier this fall, when talking about the income tax renewal, Melchi said the board will have to decide whether to stick with a five-year tax or ask for a continuing tax.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Superintendent Francis Scruci reported on the success of the “Adopt-a-Door” program, asking for $200 donations to put new security looks on each door in the district. So far, 135 doors have been “adopted” and another 15 have been pledged. That leaves 190 doors still available for donors.
The security systems will be installed on the doors by the end of January, Scruci said.
“It’s been amazing, to see the community support,” he said.
Also at the meeting, high school science teacher Josh Iler gave a presentation on the efforts to transform the school courtyard and land lab into usable learning spaces. The students are learning about plants, wildlife, hard work and patience, he said.
“It’s a lot more work than you might imagine,” Iler said.
The courtyard has been landscaped and a koi pond has been added. Students use the area for reading, eating lunch and relaxing. Trails are being cut and mulched in the land lab, located to the east of the high school. Both areas have received many donations from local businesses and former students.
“I’m reaching out in different ways and getting them outdoors,” Iler said, noting the student pride in the projects. “The pride is the big thing.”
In other business:
- The retirement of middle school art teacher Kim Sockman was announced, effective at the end of the school year. Middle School Principal Eric Radabaugh said Sockman is “very caring, compassionate. She’s one of those teachers, when kids go to the high school, they come back to visit.”
- The board learned of plans to establish an ongoing scholarship for four high school students killed in a car accident in 1991: Tiina Panksepp, Margaret Quinn, Stephanie Sanders and Kevin Wolfe.
- Scruci explained it’s not a clearcut decision on when to delay or close school due to cold temperatures. However, he uses the rule of thumb that if it is warm enough that students can be outside for 30 minutes or more without the threat of frostbite, then he will not delay or cancel.
