At the meeting the group of Jordyn Dunn, Brenna Franck, and Brandon Schimming were recognized for placing first in the Financial Literacy Promotion Project at the state level, and placing third at the International Career Development Conference, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the project was to educate, involve, and inform students and the community. Each member of the team received a $2,000 scholarship from H&R Block, the sponsor of the event. A total of nineteen Oak Harbor students qualified to compete at the conference. The students of the program are instructed by Mrs. Nadine Scott who also highlighted some of the achievements and successes of her students.
At its regular Board meeting each month, Board members will host a district highlight featuring student achievements and programs to highlight the great work going on in the school system. The Board will highlight students from different buildings each month as follows: September-Middle School; October-R.C. Waters; November-High School; December-Middle School; January 2015-R.C. Waters; February-High School; March-Middle School; and April-R.C. Waters. Board meetings are typically held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Board Office. The Board encourages parents, family members, and citizens to attend Board meetings to hear about the great achievements and programs students are involved with.
In addition to highlighting the DECA program, Board members were introduced to new Benton-Carroll-Salem staff members, and were warmly welcomed. Mrs. Nyla Denman, Food Service Director, made a presentation to the Board on new standards governing the sale of food sold on school property per federal guidelines. Mrs. Denman’s presentation garnered a great deal of discussion about the cost and benefits of these mandates and their impact on children.
Then, Board members approved the hire of classified and certified substitute staff members, and accepted resignations. Most notably the Board accepted the resignation of Mrs. Pat Wittman, cashier at Oak Harbor Middle School, who retired effective August 1 with 39.89 years of service. The Board plans to recognize Mrs. Wittman and other retirees during a special reception in the spring. The Board also approved the hire of other new staff members including Michelle Sigurdson, assistant cook at Oak Harbor Middle School, and Jonathan Head, music teacher at Oak Harbor Middle School.
In other business, the Benton-Carroll-Salem Board approved a number of agreements including an agreement to host student teachers. The Board approved a revision to its policy on school volunteers to clarify that both a BCII and FBI background check are necessary for volunteers who have unsupervised access to children. This added background check will help to ensure the safety of students.
The next B-C-S Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, at 6 p.m. at the Board of Education Office.