By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green High School parking lot was busy Monday evening. Volleyballs were being batted around the gym, footballs were being tossed about the field, and vehicles were slowly being maneuvered between poles by young prospective drivers.
But a few dozen people ventured into the lobby of the Performing Arts Center to get a word in with the new superintendent.
There were teachers, parents and taxpayers – all wanting to meet Dr. Ted Haselman, the new head of Bowling Green City School District.
The standards topics came up – the upcoming bond issue, the condition of school buildings, and past conflict in the district.
“Thanks for taking on this thankless task,” Milt Hakel said to Haselman.
“Every district has its challenges and Bowling Green is no different,” Haselman responded.
The new superintendent went to a table of teachers, Dr. Jo Beth Gonzalez, Jo Ann Schempf and Mary Kern, where the conversation got a little personal. The educators who teach French, Spanish, drama and a retired English teacher had a particular question for Haselman.
“Did you take a language in high school?” Kern asked.
Yes, Haselman responded, two years of Spanish. But he confessed to taking those because it was a requirement for college.
What about theater, another asked.
“I did not,” Haselman said, but two of his three adult children were active in theater while in school.
At another table, he spoke with reading specialist Ann Stroebel.
“We’re excited to have you here,” she told the superintendent.
“I’m excited about getting entrenched in the school district,” he replied.
Stroebel talked about the finer points of the district and community, noting that she had been here 29 years. And she talked about the district’s work to meet new dyslexia requirements.
“That changes every year, for sure, if not every six months,” Haselman said of the new standards.
Haselman took the opportunity at the “meet and greet” to try and fill vacancies in the district. Megan Jicha, Kristen and Mike Strum introduced themselves, with Mike mentioning that he drives trains.
“Do you want to drive a bus?” Haselman responded quickly. “We definitely need more drivers. We’re not unique, schools are short all across the country.”
“We’re very excited for you to be here,” Jicha said.
“I’ve been welcomed with open arms,” Haselman said.
Before moving onto the next table, the superintendent revisited the bus driving opportunity. “I’m only half kidding,” he said with a grin.
The conversation at another table was more serious. Marc Schaller introduced himself as the audience member at the community meeting of superintendent candidates who asked Haselman if he would put the building issue on hold if he became superintendent.
“To be honest with you, it was all done before I got here,” Haselman told Schaller.
Schaller expressed his frustration over the district’s priority for new elementaries being shifted to a new high school. “I don’t know if that’s ever been properly explained.”
As someone involved with the agricultural community, Schaller said he is keenly aware of the frictions. “I know there was a big head-butting before with ag people,” he said. The two talked about the increase in property valuations and how that translates into taxes.
Haselman listened, and voiced his commitment to “do what we say and say what we mean.”
