North Union School Superintendent Rich Baird shared some exciting news to the board at Monday night’s regular meeting regarding the Coronavirus in the local school district.
Baird stated that over 150 staff members have received their second dose of the COVID 1- vaccination. There are no current cases of COVID in the schools, the first time the district has been virus free since November, and three students are in quarantine. There were 57 total cases so far, and close to 700 who were in quarantine for the year. Baird also said that community numbers are down.
He said that the district must come up with a Recovery Plan, which contains three components:
•Summer School. The district is looking at hiring 15 teachers depending on the need to provide extended learning for over 300 students. Classes could be provided for three weeks in June, two weeks in August, 2021-22 programming and beyond;
•Social Emotional Learning and Academic Gap closing – having another title teacher at the elementary school and credit recovery staff at the high school;
•Professional Development – local and ESC supported, and to continue steps to gather staff and family input.
The deadline to submit the Recovery Plan to the Ohio Department of Education is April 1.
Chief Fiscal Officer Scott Maruniak told the board that there are four potential solar farms that may develop in the school district. The board is aware that there are many questions regarding the proposed farms and the possible tax income for the district. Baird and Maruniak attend the monthly meetings of the Union County Commissioners meetings to keep on top of decisions related to the school district. Baird also said the commissioners have secured legal counsel during talks of this event.
North Union High School Principal Janel Chapman addressed the board and told them that she has been meeting with the senior parents regarding upcoming prom and graduation. Graduation is set for Friday, June 4 at the football stadium. The parents recommended a rain date be set, possibly Sunday, June 5, so that they will be able to plan for their child’s graduation parties.
Chapman also met with junior and senior students and parents about prom. Schools have been given permission to host their proms within COVID guidelines. Junior and senior students are collaborating together for the annual event. Some suggestions were to have the dance in the gymnasium and games held in the cafeteria, use the courtyard for picture taking and possibly a tent set up outside so that there will be air flow and students can space out more. A theme and a date are still being planned.
An anonymous donor has given a cash donation in the amount of $5,000 to be awarded yearly as a scholarship to one student towards their graduation. Guidelines include the student must be studying engineering, journalism or Biblical Studies to apply. The board also accepted a $800 cash donation from the Union County Shrine Club to be used at the high school for Special Education supplies.
Board member Shelly Ehret mentioned that five North Union students were inducted into the Tri-Rivers Career Center’s winter National Technical Honor Society. Those students are Rayleigh Clark (Automotive Technology), Amelia England (Culinary Arts), Lucien Hendrickson (Engineering), Gabriel Mahoney (Engineering) and Matthew Mays (Construction Trades).
In other business, the board:
•Congratulated Pastor Joe Rhea with the NU#Pride Award, for his support in all areas of the school district and community.
•Approved a resolution to administer the third-grade English language arts and mathematics (Ohio State Test) in a paper format for the 2021-2022 school year;
•Approved Girls Soccer as a club sport at NUHS for the 2021-2022 school year and hired Justin Price as the soccer coach.
•Approved David Nienhas as a graduate of the Class of 2021 as he has completed all requirements.
•Approved Alexis Maenz as the girls JV basketball coach for the 2020-2021 school year (it was inadvertently left off the Oct. 2020 agenda).
•Accepted the curriculum guides for the middle and high schools for the 2021-2022 year.
•Approved an overnight stay at Kalahari for the high school VEX teams May 28 and May 29. Cost of the trip will be shared by the robotics account and student fees.•Approved volunteer coaches for sports teams;
•Employed Sarah Wood as an elementary school preschool teacher.
•Employed Colton Conley as an elementary school kindergarten teacher.
•Accepted the resignation of Sandra Ridge due to retirement as an elementary school aide (Wildcat Readers Coordinator), effective July 1.