By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As a new era begins for Bowling Green City School District, Board President Tracy Hovest made a pledge to the community Tuesday evening.
Hovest predicted there will be differences of opinion on the board, but that won’t get in the way of doing what is right.
“I promise we will work together for the greater good,” she said. “The future of BG is bright.”
Hovest built on the theme of construction, with the district poised to build a new high school, build on opportunities for students, build on successes in the classrooms, and build students up by celebrating them.
“We are moving forward in a positive direction,” she said.
Hovest also announced a change in agendas for regular board meetings. Instead of allowing public comments at the beginning and end of the meetings, the comments will now all be made at the beginning of the meeting.
Also at the meeting, Crim Elementary teachers Stacey Higgins and Michelle Thomas presented plans for the 1BookBG program this spring. The goal this year is to provide a book to each student in all public and private/parochial elementaries.
The program will again partner with Wood County District Public Library, BGSU and local business – getting the whole community involved.
The topic this year will play off the eclipse that will occur on April 8, with Bowling Green in the pathway of the once in a lifetime event.
“In the year of an eclipse, we want to shoot for the stars,” Higgins said.
The books will focus on “Out of this World Pioneers,” from Galileo to Sally Ride.
The school district is asking for community donations to help purchase books for approximately 1,400 students, with the cost range of $3 to $5 per book.
More details will be forthcoming.
In other business at the board meeting, Rick Busselle reported updated information on Ohio voucher programs that use taxpayer funds to help parents wanting to send their children to private/parochial schools.
While the program was initially touted as a way to help low income families access private schools, the state now defines “low income” as any household earning less than $130,000 annually, Busselle said.
For students attending private schools, the state pays $6,100 a year for K-8 grades, and $8,400 a year for high school grades. That is more than the state allotts for public schools, he said.
“I just think we should all be aware of that,” Busselle said.
Keeping up the tradition begun by former school board member Ginny Stewart, a report on student needs at all Bowling Green City Schools was presented by Tara Loar.
“Winter is here,” she said. “All of the students could really benefit from warm coats, hats, gloves and socks.”
All the elementaries are in need of pre-packaged snacks, with no nuts. The student favorites are Goldfish crackers, granola bars, and fruit gummies.
Other needs at the elementaries include boys and girls underwear, sizes 4-8. And the Bobcat Basics program is short on chapstick, deodorant and shampoo.
The school principals report that they have enough school supplies for this year, thanks to the generosity of the community, Loar reported.
Haselman read off the lists of community donations to the school district in the past month totaling $38,198. “That’s amazing,” he said.
Money or items were donated for softball field maintenance, the high school Madrigals, Fifth Grade Camp, school choirs, athletics, a drumset, art supplies and snacks.
Also at the meeting, elementary art teachers, Kelsey Liska and Noreen Overholt recognized students whose art was named honorable mention for the Safety Kids Calendar Contest, by the Wood County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The fifth graders selected were Adrianna Evans from Crim Elementary, Clayton Tyrrell from Conneaut Elementary, and James “Carson” Heilmeier from Kenwood Elementary.
In other business:
- The board voted to hire Shawn Kiss as the head football coach.
- Board member Ardy Gonyer reported that the annual trivia fundraiser is being planned for March 8 by the BG Schools Foundation.
