By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education heard from a familiar supporter/critic of the school district on Tuesday evening. And his criticism seemed to strike a nerve with the board.
Steve Bateson returned this month to speak to the board about the loss of enrollment in the district – and how that has led to a loss of state and federal funding. Since 2019, before COVID hit, the district’s enrollment dropped 367 students to this year’s total of 2,649 students.
If the district were to get even half of that number back, that could bring another $3 million into the school budget, he said.
Bateson acknowledged that the district hiring of a communications director has helped, but said the district needs to do more to promote itself and compete with other schools for students.
“More has to be done than opening our doors in August and expecting students to come,” he said.
That’s how Tuesday’s meeting began. What followed were a whole lot of agenda items that could make Bowling Green City Schools attractive to many families.
Rachel Newell, the district’s executive director of teaching and learning, presented the detailed version of the district’s improved state report card. For the first time, the district scored 4.5 out of 5 overall – with Perrysburg being the only district in the county to rank higher.
“We have been improving year after year,” Newell said.
“We have a lot of things to celebrate,” she said, adding that the district is also focusing on areas that need improvement.
When Newell finished her report, school board President Tracy Hovest pointed out the importance of the higher rankings.
“Sounds like a positive piece to bring people to our district,” Hovest said.
Later in the meeting, board member Ryan Myers took time to respond to Bateson’s comments. He disagreed with the idea that the district wasn’t competitive with other districts.
Myers listed multiple ways the district is on a positive trajectory:
- “The continuous improvement we’ve shown academically,” and the overall experience students can participate in.
- Focus by the board on taking care of staff, so they aren’t lost to districts that can pay more.
- Increased transparency with district finances, by Superintendent Ted Haselman and new Treasurer Matt Feasel.
- Hiring of Jennifer Campos as the communications director. “We’re telling the story of all the awesome things going on,” Myers said. “We’re doing an awful lot of new things and it’s showing.”
- Building a new high school.
Myers then went on to give the monthly report on progress of the new high school. Construction of the high school has not yet begun, but the athletic field has been relocated to make room for parking and the geothermal wells.
“We’re just as excited as you guys to get this going,” Myers said. “We’re all on this journey together.”
When Hovest presented her report to the board, she spoke of the Bowling Green Schools Foundation celebration held the night before.
“Last night I was reminded,” of why her family moved to Bowling Green, Hovest said.
With the help of dedicated educators and community members who devote countless hours, the students at Bowling Green City Schools are learning far more than textbook lessons, she said.
“Our students rise to this challenge every single day,” she said. “We are building better human beings” and a “better BG.”
