BASCOM Hopewell-Loudon Board of Education voted Wednesday night to accept the invitation to join the Blanchard Valley Conference for football beginning August 2014. The board wants to maintain dual memberships in BVC and Midland Athletic League for all other sports. MAL officials are to meet in August to give approval to the dual membership.
Board member Mary Ruth Crandall stressed she wanted the district to stay loyal to MAL.
The board toured the site of the new school prior to the meeting. Crandall said she was excited to see progress made.
Nicole Jiran, interim superintendent, attended her first board meeting. She is to officially become superintendent Aug. 1.
Board member Doug Ranker announced Robert Walter and Duane and Roma King are to be this year's Hopewell-Loudon Hall of Fame inductees. Walter was instrumental in forming the first football team and the athletic boosters. The Kings have been lifelong supporters of everything H-L. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 24 before the Leipsic football game.
Jen Losey, elementary principal, said preliminary data on the Ohio Achievement Assessments has been received and she's pleased. Every grade level has achieved 75 percent on all tests. Parents of students in grades 3-6 will receive report letters in the first week of July.
Losey reviewed proposed changes in the parent/student handbook. Students will be permitted to wear shorts if the temperature is 70 degrees or higher. The temperature reading will be taken at 10 a.m. Students will not be allowed to take photographs or make recordings during recess.
Middle school/high school principal Bill Dobson reported grades 7 and 8 had met all the indicators on the OAA tests.
Student lunch prices will remain unchanged with elementary $1.50 and high school $1.75.
The board took action to:
Renew liability, property and fleet insurance through Ohio School Plan at a cost of $19,781.
Approve agreement with Northern Ohio Educational Computer Association.
Accept resignation of Susan Platt.
Hire Jill Welty to teach psychology, sociology and world studies.
Approve substitute classified employees.
Award contracts for supplemental positions.
Renew the Early Childhood Education Program contract.
Donations were accepted from the H-L Athletic Boosters for girls track uniforms, wrestling jackets, rental for dugout construction and from Linde LLC.
The board adjourned to executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel.
The board is to meet July 16 with a facilities update at 5:30 pm.
