By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education heard plans Tuesday affecting athletes, attendance and adding modular classrooms.
Superintendent Francis Scruci said the district will soon be going out for bids on a modular unit that would hold four classrooms at Conneaut Elementary School. The school’s enrollment is approximately 500.
Scruci had reported to the board last month that classroom space will be in short supply next school year at the elementary, resulting in the need for a modular unit on site, possibly for the entire fifth grade.
“It’s certainly not something anyone wants to hear,” Scruci said last month. “We do have some shortages in terms of square footage.” However, he added that modular units have improved over the years since schools first started using them to make up for inadequate classroom space.
The district will be looking for more permanent solutions after it receives its report from the Ohio School Facilities Commission. That report looks at the overall building needs of the district and is expected later this week. Public meetings will be held to present those findings.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Scruci mentioned the need to have higher standards for the district’s athletic programs. He noted the high quality of educational and arts programs in the district, and said the same high expectations should be in place for the athletic programs.
When asked after the meeting if the district was considering drug testing for athletes, Scruci said that was an option. “We have had a brief conversation,” on that topic, he said.
Scruci also told the board that he is looking at tightening up the attendance policy for students. The current policy allows 14 unexcused absences in the first half of the school year, then gives students a fresh start in January, meaning 28 unexcused absences would be permitted for a school year. Scruci would like to reduce those numbers.
The board also heard that the district will hold a job fair for new teachers on March 19, which is a month earlier than usual. Scruci said by having the event earlier, the district has a better chance at getting good job candidates as they graduate from college.
“This is an attempt to get some of the best out of this class,” he said.
