BETTSVILLE - A number of measures were approved Thursday evening by the Bettsville Board of Education to improve the financial position and efficiency of the school.
An understanding between Bettsville Local School District Board of Education and Bettsville Education Association was approved, allowing for a salary freeze for the 2012-13 school year.
According to the decision, the salary index will remain the same, and no years of experience will be lost. While the plan has been accepted for 2012-13, Superintendent Paul Orshoski said more negations will take place next school year.
The hours of four certified/licensed professionals were reduced due to financial considerations, effective at the end of the current school year, and a classified staff position was cut by the board. Instead of two staff members fulfilling the duties of treasurer assistant and Education Management Information System/library/study hall monitor, employment of Jo Steffanni as treasurer assistant/EMIS/library was approved. The position will be 11 months instead of 12 months, and study hall at the high school level will no longer be offered at Bettsville, said Orshoski.
In addition, the superintendent's contract was amended to include 125 work days, instead of 250, and the treasurer's contract was amended from 250 work days to 225.
Reductions to classified staff hours also were approved by the board. The school's maintenance position was cut from 40 hours to 20 hours per week, and the administrative assistant and custodian positions were reduced from 12 months to 11 months. Extended-time days for three positions were reduced, effective at the end of the 2011-12 contract.
Assurance was given by the board to substitute personnel who are under contract that they again will be employed by Bettsville for the upcoming school year, if they are properly certified and approved by North Central Ohio Educational Service Center.
The board also approved a number of contracts for the 2012-13 school year, including Betsy Clevenger as K-12 art teacher; Michael Haynes, health/physical education; Shelley Phillimore, high school math; Kimberly Shearn, third grade; Julie Torrence, intervention specialist; Barbara Weber, K-12 music; Stefanie Lauer, language arts; and James Less, science teacher.
Two-year contracts were approved for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years for Darren Wilson, history teacher, and Mary Smith, bus driver.
Athletic director Mike Haynes said he took 14 students to a leadership camp, and it was a positive experience that included guest speakers and outside activities to build trust and interaction. Haynes also said Bettsville's status with the MAL still is in question, due to potential changes within the division.
Bettsville will host an open house April 30 for students and families interested in attending Bettsville. Details can be found on the school's website, or by contacting the school.
The board will meet May 10 at 5 p.m.
In additional board news:
Employment of Andrew Brown as assistant baseball coach for the remainder of the school year was approved.
Shawn Siebenaller was approved as substitute bus driver and driver for bus trips.
An Ohio School Boards Association Service Agreement for the 2012-13 school year was approved, at a cost of $650.
A resolution was approved stating Bettsville School will serve only food and beverages approved by the Ohio Department of Education.
Susie Perry was recognized for her donation of a trombone to the music department.
The board approved the transfer of $125,000 from the permanent improvement fund to the general fund. The money will be used for the 2012-13 school year.
The board heard two representatives from Gov. John Kasich's office visited Bettsville because of the school's high number of students who qualify for reduced-price or free school lunches, to view the operation of the school.
The board approved four students for summer employment at minimum wage to help with the ditch adjacent to the school.
Employment was approved for the upcoming school year for a number of personnel, based on player participation.
Principal Michelle Dantuono said the senior trip was a great experience, and a number of students are planning volunteer activities in the community.
Board president Nicholas Baker said all board members received literature from North Central Ohio Conservatives detailing students' freedom of religion rights, and offering to speak to students, if requested.
