By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The rural voters of Bowling Green City School District spoke earlier this month, with the majority of them casting ballots to remain in the school district.
But the skirmish at the polls revealed some deep scars between some rural areas and the school district.
On Tuesday evening, Superintendent Francis Scruci said the school district will work on doing a better job at listening. He told the school board that he plans to create a committee that includes representatives of the agricultural community, industry, business and the university.
The committee will include two or three representatives of each group, and would meet every two or three months – “to discuss issues we may be looking at as a district,” Scruci said.
“I think having those voices at the table will be a really good thing,” he said.
One rural resident who fought against the plans to secede was Richard Strow. While he wanted to remain in the Bowling Green district, he also said that the school board needs to listen more to rural residents.
“There are problems that need to be addressed,” Strow said after the election.
Scruci agreed that improvements could be made. He said the new committee will not include any school board members.
“I certainly don’t want people in the choir” – just people representing the viewpoints of agriculture, business, industry and higher education, he said.
“I think that will give us more well-rounded opinions as we move forward,” Scruci said.
Scruci also suggested that the school district consider a name change to make it more inclusive. The Bowling Green City School District changed its name to Bowling Green Area School when Hugh Caumartin was superintendent, Scruci said. For some reason, it later reverted back to Bowling Green City Schools.
Scruci suggested a name change may be a good idea.
“Bowling Green schools are made up of rural as well as city,” he said.
Scruci and Board President Ginny Stewart thanked the rural residents of the school district who worked hard to defeat the effort to secede to other neighboring school districts.
In the Aug. 4 election, voters in Liberty Township and Milton Township decided to remain in Bowling Green School District. A portion of Center Township will go to Eastwood. And a portion of Plain Township will go to Otsego.
“I’m very grateful that the rural community spoke loud and clear that they want to be part of Bowling Green City Schools,” BG Superintendent Francis Scruci said after the election. “We’re really pleased they are able to be part of our district.”
