The North Union Board of Education met Monday evening with board president Dennis Hall absent from the meeting and vice president Jean Wedding presided.
Middle School Principal Matt Burggraf updated the board on several highlights taking place at the building. He spoke on the accomplishments of the seventh grade boys basketball team going 17-2 this winter. Students in the robotics program have been competing and will be traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, for the World VEX Robotics competition the end of this month.
Burggraf also mentioned that one-third of the middle school students have a B or higher grade point average. Board members expressed pride in the various accomplishments of the students.
Safety Resource Officer Shawn Dyer talked to the board regarding many events that have taken place at all three schools in the district. The deputy stated that more than 300 students have completed D.A.R.E. education, learning about the down side of doing drugs, drinking alcohol and bullying.
The #NU Pride Award for April was given to a Logan Dunn, a third grade teacher at North Union Elementary. He was nominated by a community member.
Dunn is the middle school athletic supervisor. He makes sure that the scoreboard is ready before each home game, keeps students and parents updated on game changes and cancellations through social media and has greatly improved the quality of the pregame information messages.
He is reportedly always visible at events and presents himself as interested and genuinely engaged in his duties, no matter what sports season. The nomination said he also takes care of setting-up the facilities, gets gate workers and takes care of the sports officials. He reportedly promotes student athletes after each game by listing them on posters. He is also said to care for and promote his students in the classroom.
During the meeting, there was some discussion regarding safety resource officers (SRO) in the schools. School Superintendent Rich Baird reported that on the national level, it is recommended having one SRO for every 1,000 students. North Union has an enrollment of approximately 1,500 students. Several parents have discussed on social media the need for having another SRO at North Union.
Aaron Zimmerman, a North Union parent asked the board about the possibility of securing another officer. It was asked how quickly the SRO could arrive and take control on the scene if a situation should arise at one of the three schools. It was asked if the board would consider hiring another officer.
Baird responded to Zimmerman that the current SRO is paid through five townships, grant funds, the school district and the sheriff’s department. Baird also mentioned that the Richwood Police Department is just a minute away and the fire department is just down the road, should any of those departments be needed. Jean Wedding had suggested that maybe there should be a community committee formed to discuss the possibility. Baird stated that he would set-up a meeting and announce it before the May board meeting.
The board reaffirmed that the next regular board meeting will be held on Monday, May 21, at North Union Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
In other business, the board:
-Heard the North Union High School Art Exhibit will be on display at the Richwood-North Union Public Library from April 26 through May 10.
-Approved the motion to use Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company as a provider for any student accident insurance for the 2018-19 school year, should any students need insurance.
-Accepted scholarship donations from Craig and Dr. Carol Young and Kevin and Sarah Smith.
-Approved June 1 at 7 p.m. for the high school commencement for the Class of 2018. The ceremony will take place in the North Union High School gym.
-Made a motion to non-renew all limited supplemental, pupil activity and extended day contracts effective at the conclusion of the current contract.
-Approved Jared Evans as an FFA volunteer advisor for the 2018-19 school year.
-Approved to non-renew retire/rehire contract for Lisa McKinley, middle school intervention specialist, at the conclusion of the current contract. McKinley received a one-year expiring supplemental contract as a middle school intervention teacher for the 2018-2019 school year.
-Approved a one-year leave of absence for third grade teacher Melanie Fifield for the 2018-19 school year.
-Approved a one-year leave of absence for high school teacher Haley Schellin for the 2018-19 school year.
-Approved an increase in school lunch prices. Middle and high school lunches move to $3.25 and elementary lunches to $3. Breakfast, district-wide, will move to $1.75. Reduced price lunches will remain at 40 cents and reduced breakfast will remain at 30 cents. Milk prices stay at 40 cents and adult lunches will increase to $3.75.
-Accepted the resignation of high school special education/intervention teacher Katyn Napier, effective the end of the current school year.