By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After years of being rejected by voters, getting lackluster state report card scores, and losing enrollment, Bowling Green Board of Education members sometimes have to pinch themselves.
Ryan Myers was feeling that last week, when building architects presented finalized plans for the new high school.
“I still get goosebumps,” he said about seeing what is in store for Bowling Green City Schools. “I find myself thinking – is this really going to be ours.”
The new high school is not a cookie cutter design, Myers said. And the board’s decision to use geothermal energy is predicted to save the district more than $25 million over 50 years.
“It saves us money from day one,” he said.
Pair the “on schedule and on budget” new building with the district’s second year of 4.5 out of 5 score on the state report card, and the future seems to be looking up for BG City Schools, Myers said.
“It’s a great time to be a Bobcat,” he said.
Board President Norm Geer thanked the efforts of students, parents, teachers, administrators and all staff to score so well on the state report cards.
“This is an exciting time,” Geer said.
The ranking of the school district puts it in the top 15% of school districts in Ohio, Superintendent Ted Haselman said.
Haselman also noted that BG Schools have seen a small uptick in enrollment. After the meeting, he said it was an increase of about 20 students, but added, “it’s not negative.”
Haselman updated the board of the high school project, saying work will move to putting in the new parking lot to the north of the new school, and installing utilities around the main construction area.
Board member Tracy Hovest presented her report as athletic liaison for the board. She talked about the success and fun being experienced by the fall teams.
“They are great ambassadors for our district,” Hovest said.
And board member Peggy Thompson noted the state report card score of 5 for Penta Career Center.
Also at the meeting, a presentation on the BGSU Math Enrichment Camp was made by Gabriel Matney and three of his students at BGSU. The camp offers BGSU student-led math problem solving adventures for K-12 students.
Matney explained the camp shows how math can be fun, rather than “sitting down and taking tests to see who’s best.”
The board approved a memorandum of understanding between BGSU and BG City School for a Math Enrichment Camp for BGCS students.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the purchase of two Blue Bird buses for a total of $298,276 through the Ohio Schools Council bus purchasing program. Haselman said the price was a discounted rate.
- Accepted donations totaling $8,937 from the community for high school cross country, school supplies, fifth grade camp, football program, boys soccer, snacks, and music instruments.
- Approved an easement to the City of Bowling Green for the Brim Road multi-use path.
