The North Union Board of Education heard a presentation by Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton and North Union School Superintendent Rich Baird regarding the need for a school resource officer in the school district.
Patton explained that he was assured money from an Ohio Attorney General’s Office Drug Prevention Grant would pay for half of an officer’s salary as a school resource officer. The only problem was to find funding for the other half of the salary. Patton said he has spoken with trustees in Claibourne, Jackson, Washington, Leesburg and York townships, which is where a large group of North Union students live. About 60 percent of the students live in the village of Richwood.
The grant program will also be used to support a school resource officer in the Fairbanks School District.
After hearing the presentation, the school board approved a motion that the board will provide $24,795.93 toward the officer. The sheriff stated that there will be two officers, one at North Union and one at Fairbanks. He’s hoping to secure funding also for the Fairbanks officer.
In the agreement of the grant money, the schools will also provide the DARE program in the elementary.
Depending on the training of the officer, the program could begin early in the 2017-2018 school year. Board members said the program will be a positive addition to the district.
North Union High School Athletic Director Nick Hajjar spoke to the board regarding an invitation the district received in regards to joining the Central Buckeye Conference and leaving the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference. Hajjar talked about the changes in the current conference and the increasing size of participating schools, leaving North Union one of the smaller members.
The board approved the move, but North Union’s acceptance into the conference will depend on London City Schools, which was also invited to join. London’s board was to meet tonight to vote on the proposal.
If London also agreed to join the league, then the change could take place as soon as the 2018-2019 school year.
In other business, the board:
-Accepted resignations of Roger Miller (elementary Title 1 teacher), Danae Marquis (fourth grade teacher), Casey Goff (seventh grade intervention specialist and seventh grade basketball coach) and Mandy Parish (health care provider).
-Approved the employment of Melissa Skaggs as elementary school cook for three hours a day.
-Accepted a list of certified substitute personnel to be called on an as-needed basis.
-Recognized the retirement of Linda Mathis, sixth grade social studies teacher.
-Approved Colleen Curts as high school assistant volleyball coach and Simeon Wilson to assist with elementary robotics.
-Approve one year contracts for Jodie Kavanagh (high school robotics competition), Bob Moore (high school video game design) and Rebecca Wedertz (high school mock trial).
The next regular meeting of the board will be held Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. at the North Union Administrative Office.