By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education broke with tradition Monday evening in favor of what may be a more vital quality right now – continuity.
Normally, the vice president of the board moves into the president spot when new board members are sworn in every two years. That would have put Bill Clifford in the leadership position.
But after Treasurer Cathy Schuller performed the swearing in of returning board members Jill Carr and Ginny Stewart, and new board member Tracy Hovest, Clifford suggested that the board try something different.
In his previous career as superintendent for the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Clifford said the board presidents often served multiple terms.
“It served the agency well. It served the board well,” he said. “I believe continuity is vital to this board.”
So Clifford said he had asked Stewart to continue as president of the school board. He would remain as vice president, he added.
“Ginny, we all know, has worked tirelessly for the kids,” Clifford said, citing Stewart’s energy and enthusiasm for the school district. “I think it is the best this board can offer.”
“Surprisingly, Ginny has agreed,” Clifford said.
The board voted unanimously to return Stewart to the board president seat.
“I know you’re going to do a good job. I know it’s a big ask,” Clifford said to Stewart.
“It was a big think, too,” she responded.
Stewart said she weighed the time commitment and the energy the job requires. After consulting with her husband, Scott, she accepted the challenge.
“I’m very grateful for the board’s confidence to re-elect me,” she said.
After Monday’s organizational meeting, Stewart said the top priority for the district right now is passage of the two renewal operating levies on the primary ballot. The goal is to maintain the same millage, but make them continuing levies to give the district more financial stability.
“We are focusing on the renewal of the levies because they are so vital for the district,” she said. “Making them continuous puts the board in a more financially secure position.”
As for the building needs faced by the district, Stewart is hoping the board can start addressing that issue this year. The ballot issue to build one new elementary school for the district failed by 32 votes last November.
“I think we’ve handled it with dignity and we’ve handled it with respect,” she said. The question now is “Where do we head with our facilities?”
New board member, Tracy Hovest said after the meeting that she is looking forward to serving on the board.
“I’m so excited to get in and make good decisions for the district,” Hovest said.
As a parent in the Bowling Green district, and a teacher in another district, Hovest said she can offer a different perspective.
The school board will continue to meet on the third Tuesdays of each month, at 5:30 p.m., in the lobby of the district’s Performing Arts Center.
Also at Monday’s meeting, board members were appointed as representatives to various groups or agencies:
- BG Athletic Advisory Board – Norm Geer and Clifford.
- BG School Foundation – Hovest.
- District facilities representatives – Carr and Stewart.
- Legislative liaison to Ohio School Board Association – Geer.
Ad hoc committees may be created as needed to deal with issues affecting public education.
