The number one FFA Agronomy team in the nation, was congratulated during the North Union Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
North Union Superintendent Rich Baird read a proclamation from the board acknowledging the five-time national agronomy winners. NU FFA member Bailee Amstutz was also congratulated on her accomplishment of earning second place in a science competition through the FFA program.
Union County Commissioner Charles Hall presented a proclamation to the group from the Union County Commissioners, along with Ryan Lee, of the Union County Chamber of Commerce and Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). All presentations were to congratulate the accomplishments of Agronomy team in representing Union County.
This is the fifth time the agronomy team, coached by Jared Evans, has taken the highest honor at the National FFA Convention and each team has had different students competing. Once a team wins the highest level, those students are not allowed to compete in that category again. So North Union has had many students compete in the Agronomy category and brought home the gold.
Ben Decker, a North Union student in the Business Professionals Association (BPA) was recognized by the Ohio BPA Organization for designing this year’s t-shirt. He will be recognized at the State Leadership Conference.
The board also will be discussing the possible organization of a Girl’s Club Soccer group. There has been interested in this athletic competition and the board wants to see a proposal on the cost to start up a club group, what affect will it have on current sporting events since it is a fall sport, where will the games be held, what type of cost is involved in start-up equipment, cost of referees, etc. Athletic Director Nick Hajjar and Superintendent Baird will provide more information to the board for future discussions.
Pat Hamilton, owner of Pat’s Print Shop, received the #NUPride Award as a community member. Her dedication of supplying daily news about events taking place in the school system and in the village has been a valuable asset to the community. Baird and the board congratulated her in her continued support of Richwood.
In other business, the board;
-Heard presentations from teacher Jodi Hoffman regarding math and the district’s plan in student programming and professional development for teaching staff, a report from Sharon Hager, a teacher who is the gifted coach in the district and from high school principal Janel Chapman on Ohio’s Graduation Requirements, which now states that students must have a minimum of 20 credits in specified subjects and take the required tests. Then students must then earn a passing score on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests. Then there are three options students can opt to finish out in fulfilling their requirements.
Students must demonstrate two career-focused activities-have proficient scores on WebXams, have a 12-point industry credential or a pre-apprenticeship or acceptance into an approved apprenticeship program. A student can also show that he or she has signed a contract to enter a branch of the U.S. armed services upon graduation. The third option is to earn credit for one college-level math and/or college-level English course through Ohio’s free College Credit Plus program. Students can also earn diploma seals, choosing those that line up with goals and interests. Locally, North Union has three seals available for students to choose from.
The Community Service Seal involves participation in community service. The second Seal is the Fine and Performing Arts Seal. The third seal is the Student Engagement Seal. Principal Chapman said that guidance counselor Jennifer Willis is very active in getting students to be involved in earning seals.
-Approved a list of volunteers as needed and non-certified substitute personnel to be on an as-needed basis.
-Accepted the resignation of Peg Curts as head varsity volleyball coach, effective immediately;
-Approved the employment of Jordan Conrad as a second shift floater sweeper/cleaner for the athletic building and in the district.
-Approved the employment of Shawn Spencer as an elementary second shift sweeper/cleaner.
-Approved a contract for Robert Orr as middle school wrestling coach and hiring Anna Baker as elementary musical director.
-Approved an indefinite, unpaid medical leave for Dwight Scott, middle school sweeper/cleaner.
-Approved a resolution, which honors William Davenport who was a board member for eight years and he will be stepping down Jan. 1.
It was also announced that Jean Wedding will be appointed as President Pro Tem for the 2020 organization meeting, held Jan. 14.