By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education is determined to see its district move beyond its levy losses and get behind efforts to build a new high school.
On Tuesday evening, the board briefly discussed the recommendation from the facility advisory committee to tackle the high school as the first building project.
“I think it’s crucial we move this district forward,” said board member Tracy Hovest, who noted the school district has been trying to replace its aging buildings since she moved to Bowling Green five years ago.
“I know it’s disappointing to the elementaries,” which were top of the building ballot issues in the past. “But moving forward we will try to take care of them the best we can.”
Board member Ryan Myers echoed the assurance that the elementaries will not be forgotten.
“We have to do something to get it passed first,” Myers said of the high school proposal. “That is not to ignore or forget the elementaries.”
The facility advisory committee was determined to focus on an issue that was likely to capture voter support. Committee members were torn on the building of one or two elementaries – but a new high school was a project they could all rally around.
“It was very clear about the high school,” Myers said. “It was very clear about the need to move this district forward. This is a phase we have to address.”
Board member Norm Geer liked the idea of trying the high school as a standalone issue.
“I think it’s good for us to have the high school on the ballot. It’s never been on the ballot by itself,” Geer said.
Board member Ginny Stewart questioned the plans to keep some areas of the old high school – like the gyms, band and choir rooms, and FFA room.
“It looks to me like we should be replacing every inch of the high school,” Stewart said.
Myers said all the rooms would be replaced, but some of the current space will be saved.
“You can never have enough gym space,” he said.
Board President Jill Carr praised the work of the facility advisory committee, which spent long hours studying the existing buildings and coming up with a proposal.
“People weren’t afraid to share their feelings,” she said. “I’d like to publicly extend a thank you to the community.”
“The board will vote on a resolution as soon as possible,” Carr said.
A special board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., in the school administration offices, for discussion on financing facilities. The district’s financial consultant, David Conley, will be present at the meeting.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board heard from BG City Schools Director of Teaching and Learning Angie Schaal about the latest state report card data. The district saw its scores drop last year after students spent so much time learning virtually during COVID.
All the state results are not in, but the district is seeing improvement in its math and science scores, plus gains in American government and American history.
“It’s such a testament to the work teachers do in the classrooms,” Schaal said.
Improvements are still needed, but the gains have been substantial.
“I think that we’ve pulled out of this very nicely,” she said. “All the credit goes to our teachers for all the work they do.”
In other business at the meeting:
- Superintendent Francis Scruci talked about the successful and safe high school prom. “As a former principal, that’s one of the most nerve wracking nights of the year,” he said.
- Crim and Conneaut cafeterias were recognized for earning Clean Plate Awards from the Wood County Health Department.
- The board voted to pass an updated version of the district’s “pay to participate” policy. The change gets rid of the tiered system, and makes the fee $75 per sport, with a maximum of $375 per family.
- Stewart reported on the voucher lawsuit attempted by public schools. “It’s so detrimental to public education,” she said of vouchers. “I will keep everyone informed.”
- Scruci listed the donations and gifts made to the district last month, totaling $4,842. “We can’t thank those community people enough,” he said. Stewart said the efforts to continue community donations would pick up again in the fall. “Thanks to the entire community, who have given over, over and over again,” she said.
