The Ohio Hi-Point Board of Education heard an update on the district’s distance learning plan and how teachers are giving back to the community in the weeks since Governor DeWine issued a three-week school closure due to COVID-19.
“This is one of the most unique situations of my career,” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith. “In just a matter of days, our teachers flipped their teaching upside down and adapted a new style of distance learning. Our school district is closed, but our teachers are still busy educating our students.”
In addition to using a variety of resources and educational platforms, the district’s distance learning plan has also presented opportunities for additional engagement and flexibility. “The majority of our students are still working part-time jobs, so our teachers continue to be there to help students when they need it, whether it’s 10 a.m. or 10 p.m. They’re doing a great job of connecting with our students one-on-one or in small groups via video conferencing and phone calls.”
The district is also collecting personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the district to donate to each Emergency Management Agency Ohio Hi-Point serves (Logan, Champaign, Hardin, Union, and Auglaize). In total, Ohio Hi-Point is donating 69 boxes of medical gloves, 13 boxes of food-service gloves, 4 boxes of masks, 300 pieces of simulated PPE, 300 pairs of safety glasses, and a multitude of miscellaneous items.
“Our teachers are taking inventory and looking through supply closets to respond to the request by the Governor for PPE,” said Dr. Smith. “We are proud to be a part of this community and give back in a time of need.”
During the meeting, the Board of Education also recognized Madison Boggs, an Allied Health and Nursing senior from Mechanicsburg High School, and Jacob Hill, a Graphic Design and Printing senior from Triad High School, as the March Students of the Month.
Dustin Tullis, Career Technical Educational Aide, was recognized as the March Staff Member of the Month.
In other board action:
· Heard the legislative report from Legislative Liaison, Paul McMahill (Mechanicsburg)
· Approved the minutes of the February 26 Regular Board of Education meeting
· Approved the February 2020 Financial Statement; interest and investments; and appropriation modifications, transfers, and advances.
· Approved employment of Sarah Burmeister (Bellefontaine), High School Director’s Secretary, effective March 13, 2020
· Approved the resignations of Dylan Hunsicker (Kenton), Facility Specialist, effective March 28, 2020; Lisa Martin (Marysville), Admissions Representative, effective June 30, 2020; and Terry Snyder (Urbana), Social Studies instructor, effective June 30, 2020
· Approved internship agreements with the companies presented
· Approved the out-of-state study trips of Megan Elkins, Allied Health & Nursing Instructor, to chaperone one student attending HOSA National Competitions in Houston, TX, June 24-27, 2020. Angie Walls, Early Childhood Education Instructor, to chaperone six students attending FCCLA National Competition in Washington, D.C., July 5-9, 2020. Staff TBD, to chaperone two students attending SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, KY, June 22-26, 2020. Satellite Instructors Shawn Miller (Bellefontaine Advanced Manufacturing); Mark Curtner (Graham/Grimes Field Aviation); Cole Crawford (Marysville ECHS Engineering); Tyler Hodge (Riverside Advanced Manufacturing); Todd Bodey (Triad Advanced Manufacturing); and Don Klingler (Urbana Advanced Manufacturing) to chaperone students qualifying for National SkillsUSA Conference in Louisville, KY, June 21-27, 2020. Satellite Instructors Cheryl Hess (Graham Biomedical Sciences); and Stefanie Brown (Marysville ECHS Biomedical Sciences) to chaperone students qualifying for HOSA National Conference in Houston, TX, June 24-27, 2020.
· Approved the Impact Scholarship Fund
· Approved to implement remote and distance learning as needed for all students and in a manner as he or she sees fit during the Epidemic Period, and approved the Superintendent and Treasurer to continue to pay all regular non-casual, non-substitute employees through the Epidemic Period pursuant to R.C. 3319.08 (B), R.C. 3319.09, and R.C. 3319.081 (G).
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 7 p.m.