Tiffin City Board of Education voted to bring back some busing for next school year during a meeting Tuesday evening.
The board voted 4-1 to approve increasing bus service to include any K-8 student who lives outside of a half-mile from his or her building of attendance. K-8 open enrollment students are to be transported from a pick-up point outside of a half-mile from their buildings of attendance and within the district.
The cost is estimated at $118,000. The board only approved the transportation change for the 2012-13 school year and is to re-evaluate it in the future.
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Verocco
"I believe safety is a tremendous issue," said board member Roland Zimmerman.
Board member Mike Klepper voted against the measure. He had expressed a desire to approve another option that involved increasing bus service to students in grades K-5 living a half-mile from their school. Other options the board considered involved increasing bus service for K-5 or K-8 students living outside of a mile of their buildings.
The five-year forecast the board approved Tuesday shows the district will have a $1.4 million cash balance in the 2016 fiscal year. It assumes the district's 1-mill permanent improvement levy is renewed this year.
In other business, the board approved Mark Verocco, who is the principal at Whitmer High School in Toledo, as Columbian High School's principal next school year. His contract is Aug. 1-July 31, 2015, and he is to be paid $90,115.
"We're just very pleased that he's on board," said Scott Urban, director of instruction and personnel.
Prior to the vote, Verocco expressed his appreciation and said he was blessed to be hired Tuesday evening.
"I can't wait to get started," he said.
Verocco is completing his 27th year in education and is a native of Brookfield.
In other business, the board voted to re-employ Superintendent Donald Coletta for three years, Aug. 1, 2013-July 31, 2016. His salary remains $100,920. President Kathy Venema thanked him for what he does for the district and said she was happy to extend his contract.
In other business, the board:
Recognized students who were Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition winners and teachers.
Recognized Renee Distel for her retirement.
Heard committee reports.
Heard the district facility transition task force report.
Heard first reading of recommended revised job descriptions and first reading to delete job descriptions.
Heard about Advanced Placement English novels, an Ohio Achievement Assessment update, the student fee list and parent-student handbooks.
Approved the treasurer's report.
Accepted the retirements of Lloyd Sand, mechanic, and Joy Rose, paraprofessional; and the resignations of Jane Hoschar, secretary, and Brandon Stephens, middle school assistant boys track coach.
Approved contracts, stipends and non-renewals.
Accepted grants and donations.
Approved an agreement with Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers.
Approved the athletic code of conduct.
Approved agreements with Heidelberg University and Tiffin University for dual enrollment courses.
Approved a contract with North Central Ohio Educational Service Center for special education services.
Approved the recall of Krystina Pratt and Stephanie Meyer, whose contracts had been cut.
Approved supplemental appropriations.
Approved Carole Zimmerman as a substitute teacher. Roland Zimmerman abstained from voting.
Approved independent contractor services.
Entered executive session to discuss the employment of public employees and did not plan to take action after the session.
The next regular meeting is 7 p.m. May 22 in Tiffin Middle School's cafetorium.
