FREDERICKTOWN — After considerable discussion, the Fredericktown Board of Education on Tuesday voted to proceed with the sale of the Taylor Street property, the site of the former middle school.
Village Council President Dave Glass and auctioneer Larry Moore were on hand to explain zoning and land division options. The board decided to sell the former office building (the white house), as a separate unit. The four acres fronting Taylor Street will be divided into four lots and be auctioned both individually and as a whole, the successful bid being whichever one brings in the most money. The board reserved the right to reject all bids.
Another topic of discussion was a storage barn to house athletic apparatus, snow removal and other equipment. Although bids for the project have been received, the board tabled action on the matter in order to consider other options.
During the report section of the meeting, high school principal Gary Chapman said officials from Project Lead the Way Ohio visited the school to inspect the local program. They were impressed with Fredericktown’s implementation model, he said, and the school will be formally recognized at a PLTW conference next week.
Chapman also announced the senior government class will be hosting a Political Panel in the Schools session on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, at 8 a.m. The nonpartisan initiative, which includes both Democrat and Republican representatives, is open to the public.
Elementary principal Matt Caputo reminded the board of the PTO fundraising Walk-a-thon scheduled for Sept. 18. He said it is a way for the group to raise money without having to do the “dreaded catalog sales.”
In addition to approving routine fiscal actions, the board accepted the donation from Foote Foundry of a bell cast by the foundry around 1900. It will be used as part of the signage at the corner of Levering and Stadium drives. It also accepted a number of musical and drama props donated by Lisa Fike. Superintendent Dan Humphrey announced there have been no major issues concerning the new building, and said it has come in nearly $600,000 under budget.
Regarding personnel, the board accepted the retirement request of custodian Bob Kempen, effective Sept. 30. It also renewed the contracts of PEP grant director Tiffany Spitler and literacy grant coordinator Leatha Howell, and added to the classified substitute list. A number of volunteers were approved by the board, as was a list of individuals for the latchkey program.
The board also approved extras service stipends for members of the district curriculum team and approved their attendance at a conference in Dearborn, Mich. This will be paid for by federal professional development funds, which will also cover the cost of substitutes. Ann Vance was also given a stipend to serve as a teacher mentor for the 2008-09 school year. This too, will be paid for out of professional development funds.
Other actions taken by the board included the approval of a four-hour Friday evening school as a means of student discipline. Middle school principal Emily Funston said that has been an effective “disincentive” in the past, with the number of participants decreasing as the school year progresses. The board also approved the hiring of a Fredericktown staff member to supervise the Friday evening school.
An agreement with OSU-Mansfield concerning the placement of student teachers and observers within district classrooms was ratified, and the board approved the following student teacher assignments: Holly Foltz, Mount Vernon Nazarene University student, with Colleen Gregg, grade 2; and George Barbuto, University of the Cumberlands, special education.
The new building dedication ceremonies will be Sunday at 3 p.m.
