By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Jonas Smith served as athletic director for Dayton Public Schools, where he oversaw seven high schools and a $3.6 million renovation of the district’s Welcome Stadium.
But something was missing. Smith is hoping to find that missing piece at Bowling Green City School District.
“The last several years, I’ve missed being around kids,” Smith said.
Tuesday evening, Bowling Green’s board of education hired Smith as the district’s new athletic director. Smith said he was attracted to the “very welcoming” community, the good schools, and the potential to build relationships.
Bowling Green Superintendent Francis Scruci said he was attracted to Smith’s 20 years of experience overseeing a large program, his reputation in the state, his winning record at Dayton, and his success securing corporate sponsorships for the renovated stadium.
“It’s what he brings to the table,” Scruci said.
Smith will receive an annual salary of $90,000. “I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for,” Scruci said.
Smith was accompanied to Tuesday’s school board meeting by his wife, LaDonna, and their two sons, ages 15 and 11. He was also joined by a former school superintendent and mentor, who flew up from South Carolina to be present for his hiring.
Smith knows time to prepare for his new job is ticking away, with fall sports starting on Aug. 1.
His philosophy for school athletics is “7-12,” he said. The head coaches at the high school level should have a hand in their sports from seventh grade on up. The fundamentals should be stressed at the middle school level, so the athletes will be ready for high school, he said.
But he also believes athletics takes a back seat to academics, Smith said.
“They are students first, athletes second,” he said. “We’re going to do what’s best for children.”
Smith said he will be accessible to parents. “I have an open door policy for parents.” But he also believes in following the chain of command, he added.
The new athletic director said he sees a lot of opportunity for the district. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but we’re going to move this district ahead and do what’s right for children.”
Also the meeting, the school board hired Eddie Powers to take over as head coach of the hockey team. Powers has served as assistant to retired head coach Dan DeWitt, who served more than 25 years and scored more than 500 wins.
The board also learned the biggest change in the student handbook for the coming year is the reduction in allowed absences. The previous policy allowed up to 15 missed days a semester. That meant a student could miss 30 days before the issue was presented to the court, Scruci said. The new policy will cut that in half, so the district can intervene for truancy after 15 missed days.
Scruci also presented a report on progress with the district’s strategic plan adopted last August. He noted goals accomplished or still in progress for academic achievement, finances, communication, human resources, operations and technology.
“We got a lot done this year,” he said. “We’ve still got a lot ahead of us.”
The largest question looming for the district is the future of its buildings. A meeting to gather public input will be held next Tuesday at 7 p.m., in the Middle School library.
“We need to hear what this community wants,” Scruci said.
Scruci reminded the board of the treasurer’s report earlier this year, predicting the district will need a levy renewal in 2017, but won’t need any new money until 2019 or 2020.
“That speaks volumes about the district’s fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Chess coach Jim Van Vorhis talks about state champion Sai Yerra, from Crim Elementary.
In other business, the board of education:
- Recognized Sai Yerra, a second grader at Crim Elementary School, who recently won first place in the Ohio Elementary Girls Chess Championship.
- Honored Noah Cook, Nick Lane and Eric Rine for their successes at the state track and field competitions.
- Listened as Beth Krolak, technology coordinator for the district, explained the technology services in the schools.
- Learned that the new bleachers in the football stadium should be completed by the third week of July.
- Heard the modular classrooms are in place at Conneaut Elementary, and will be ready for the start of the school year.
- Agreed to change the next school board meeting from July 19 to July 26, at 5 p.m.
