NEW RIEGEL - Parents attended the New Riegel Board of Education meeting Monday to ask why students participating in the post secondary enrollment options program taking online classes must leave school during the school day.
Rod Williams said parents contacted other area schools and were told students are not leaving the building for safety reasons.
Superintendent Elaine Nye asked school counselor Kristin Forman to explain the procedure. She noted meeting with participating students and parents several times, and they signed paperwork of understanding.
Forman said when a student agrees to participate, it is the student's responsibility to get to college courses. Therefore, students must sign out of the facility for the college class period and accomplish their online work independently.
Nye further said the program was designed to offer students courses at no cost to them that may not be offered at their high school. But they are considered college students for those classes and should not remain in study hall to do the work.
The program has been growing every year and the scenario of so many students participating could fill study halls if they remained at school, creating a need for an additional monitor. So members discussed possible future financial considerations.
Board members determined they wanted more information before a final decision. Nye is to contact area schools for their procedures and the topic will be continued next month.
Treasurer Jane Schalk reported receiving a second-half real estate settlement totaling $323,000.
Principal Dave Rombach announced fourth-graders will participate in Ohio Heritage School Day Friday. Sophomores also are to attend a presentation at Heidelberg University about genocide that occurred in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
Rombach said elementary students have completed reading assessments, and letters are to be sent to parents with scores and benchmark goals.
Jennifer Theis said the concession stand is being painted and the shelter has a new roof. The Athletic Boosters have planned a reverse raffle for May 4.
In other business, the board:
Accepted grants totaling $33,049.
Established a fund for a $2,800 Bureau of Workers' Compensation Wellness grant.
Approved permanent appropriations by fund for fiscal year 2013.
Approved the purchase of a $400,000 certificate of deposit Friday from an approved bank paying the highest rate of interest.
Approved the transfer of $75,000 from the General Fund to the Permanent Improvement Fund.
Approved an advance of $10,000 from the General Fund to the Cafeteria Fund.
Compensated Cindy Downey $1,750 for her work with a music Student Learning Objectives grant from the North Central Ohio Education Service Center.
Approved Ladonna Poignon as a non-certified substitute for the 2012-13 school year.
Approved reduced student fees for the 2012-13 school year.
Increased Dawn Laird's and Linda Salvati's Title I teaching times from 25 percent to 33 percent for the school year.
Approved John Zoeller as a student cleaner as needed, to be paid at the Ohio minimum wage.
Approved Mary Ann Zoeller for a non-certified, one-year contract as aide for the school year.
Approved a trip to Akron for the softball team April 19-21 for the Racers Spring Showcase.
Approved a senior class trip to Disney World March 19-23.
Heard teachers Mike Frankart and Cindy Downey present proposals for music department excursions.
Approved the Jacket Company trip to the Kettering Fairmont Festival Nov. 16-17.
Approved a Chicago high school band and Jacket Company trip for March 24-27.
The school board is to meet next at 7 p.m. Oct. 8.
