By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After eight stressful and contentious years, two Bowling Green Board of Education members received accolades from supporters and adversaries alike on Tuesday evening.
Jill Carr and Ginny Stewart were praised for their stamina by fellow board members, for steadfast support of educators by the teachers union president, for their ability to be strong and civil by an education advocate, and for their clear commitment to the school district from a citizen who was sometimes a thorn in their sides.
Board President Ryan Myers presented his last report of 2023, saying “We have experienced so many things.” He listed off the items making the top of his list: hiring a “great” superintendent; receiving record setting donations; updating student safety measures; and getting the bond issue passed for a new high school.
“I believe all of us – and I mean all of us – can be proud of the year we just had,” Myers said. “It’s a great time to be a Bobcat.”
Myers then turned to Carr and Stewart.
“I want to publicly thank both of you,” he said. “Being on a school board can be tough.”
The job requires long hours and being able to tolerate harsh critiques from the public, he said. But through it all, Carr and Stewart kept their focus on students, staff and the community, he added.
“Thank you for dedicating eight years of your life to Bowling Green City Schools,” Myers said.
Board member Norm Geer echoed those sentiments.
“I’m going to miss you two,” he said, after serving with them for six years. “Through it all, you took care of the kids.”
Though he has not served this district for long, Superintendent Ted Haselman, noted that he has worked with many board members over the years.
“I recognize the challenges they go through on a daily basis,” he said.
Jeff Nichols, president of the teachers union, voiced the gratitude of the teachers to both Carr and Stewart. They performed a civic duty, responded to needs in the district, and dealt with the difficulties of COVID.
“You two were in it for the right reason. You always had the gratitude of the teachers,” Nichols said.
Lee Hakel, representing the League of Women Voters of Bowling Green, expressed her appreciation to the entire board.
“We want to thank all of you – especially this year,” she said. Because the board went through the hard work of passing the bond issue, future high school students won’t have to worry about classroom ceilings falling in, steam rising from the floors, or using the same chalkboards their grandparents did.
They will learn in a “strong and healthy building,” Hakel said.
Hakel saved some special words for Carr and Stewart.
“You took the high road,” she said. “Both of you showed the community what it is like to be committed and civil.”
And even Steve Bateson, one of their most vocal critics, praised Carr and Stewart for serving on the board during “very difficult circumstances.”
“I haven’t always agreed with the decisions you made, but thank you for eight years of commitment to work with the Bowling Green City School District,” Bateson said.
In other business at the meeting:
- Art teachers Nicole Myers, Lloyd Triggs and Regina Hilton recognized students who recently earned awards for their artwork. Liz Reger received the Superintendent Award, and Lila Vanneman received the Principal Award. Being recognized with Merit Awards were Kylee Knauss, Tessa Kirchner and Allison Wiles.
- Haselman called the fine arts program a “shining star” and said he had seen several “wonderful” holiday performances by student groups.
- The board accepted the retirement of Laurence Berg, French and Spanish teacher at the middle school, effective June 2024.
- Haselman reported that as a member of the Ohio School Council, a consortium purchasing program, Bowling Green City Schools saved $71,000 on purchases this year.
- The board voted for Tracy Hovest to serve as president pro-tem at the board’s organizational meeting on Jan. 10, at 3:45 p.m., in the district’s administrative offices.
The board also accepted donations totaling $23,557 for the month – “which is amazing,” Haselman said. The funds were donated for: volleyball team camp and uniforms, orchestras, girls basketball, DECA, Art Club, school lunch balances, Crim field trip, Jr. Bobcat Basics, Patrick DeLuca Memorial Scholarship, water bottles, snacks, plus winter boots, shoes, hats and gloves.
