SYCAMORE - Mohawk Local School District's board of education met Tuesday evening and passed a resolution in opposition to Ohio House Bill 136. HB 136 would allow students to attend private schools with vouchers regardless of the success rate of the local school system, with any extra money being available for the student to use for post-high school education.
Superintendent Ken Ratliff said the bill would hurt the public school system.
A vote was taken to allow Mohawk to drop out of the Midland Athletic League and join the Northern 10, a new league being formed. Several MAL schools already have voted approval for the change. The resolution passed on a split vote, 3-2, with board President Doug Walton and Vice President Roger Luhring providing the dissenting votes.
Ratliff told the board 59 percent of third-graders were successful in the October standardized tests, which is in line with the state average but not with similar schools. He added similar schools passed with a 67 percent rate, but the third-graders not passing at Mohawk will retake the test, adding, "we have taken measures to remedy this issue."
Other items approved included:
Entering into a new contract with North Central Ohio Educational Service Center for fiscal year 2010-11 and the preceding year to provide billing services for Medicaid reimbursements from Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Offering one-year contracts for the current school year for teacher aides Susan Klopfenstein, Elisha Tyree and LeeAnn Frankart and custodian/cafeteria worker Brad Valentine.
Appropriating $3,500 from grant originating from American Dairy Association.
Appropriating $6,048.82 from Education Jobs Grant fund.
Numerous contracts for substitute teachers and supplemental contracts.
The next meeting of the board of education is to be 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23.
