The North Union Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting Monday night to discuss what needs students may have during the closure of school.
Taking safety measures regarding the coronavirus outbreak, board members were seated at individual tables that were set six feet apart. The board wants to continue academics for the students from a distance.
The staff has gone the extra mile in providing instruction for all grade levels for students. Kindergarten through fourth grade students have received paper instructions for their schoolwork. Fearing that it might be frustrating for the younger students to follow instructions online at a set time, instructors felt this would be less stressful for the students.
Fifth through grade 12, students have individual laptops and receive their instructions through emails about the times to view their classes online. Each teacher is instructed to keep in contact with their students. Should they not hear from a student for 48 hours, the teacher will be contacting the family to make sure everything is alright.
Superintendent Rich Baird informed the board that there are contacts available 24 hours a day to help teachers, students and families with situations of mental needs. Baird also stated that there is free Internet available for homes through Spectrum. Families needing the Internet will be able to have 60 days of free service, but after 60 days, there will be a charge, so parents are asked to read the fine print carefully. He said that the reminder notice will be sent to each family about the 60-day deadline so they can opt out of the service without having to pay a fee.
Food will be available to children who attend North Union Schools. Monday’s food was provided by the Hope Center and Crowbar and Grill provided Tuesday’s packed lunches. North Union food service staff will be providing meals Wednesday and Thursday. The district is working with other community services to help provide meals during spring break.
There are four community locations where families of school children can pick up packed lunches, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. There will not be a space to sit and eat the meal.
Locations:
•Magnetic Springs Village Hall – 30 W. Magnetic St., Magnetic Springs
•Washington Township Hall (Byhalia) – 31683 Route 31, W. Mansfield
•Richwood Police Department – 153 N. Franklin St., Richwood
•NU District Office (Essex) – 12920 Route 739.
Parents may also call Brian Nauman at 740-943-1710 to schedule home deliveries.
The board reaffirmed the April 20 meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Tri-Rivers Career Center, located at 2222 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road in Marion. There will be a Policy Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., a tour of the facility at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. This is subject to change depending on the coronavirus situation.
School Board member Shelly Ehret informed the board that Garret Padovano, a North Union and Tri-Rivers student earned a Bronze award in the Welding Fabrication contest at the Northwest Ohio Skills USA Regionals. He will not compete at the state level.
In other business, the board:
•Approved the 2020-2021 high school and middle school curriculum guides.
•Approved a one-year leave of absence for Nicole Stotz, a third grad teacher, effective the 2020-2021 school year.
•Accepted the resignation of Ben Sarap, high school math teacher, effective the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
•Approved a list of volunteers and certified substitute personnel to be called on an as-needed basis.
•Accepted a bid for the rejuvenation of low slope roof sections through the Garland Company, Inc. in the amount of $8,3331. Work will be performed between now and the summer of 2020. Work will not be done while students are in the classrooms.
The board approved the employment contract of Superintendent Richard J. Baird, effective Aug. 1, 2021 and ending on July 31, 2026.
Parents and students are to keep updated on the coronavirus and how it affects the school by going online to http://www.n-union.k12.oh.us/