Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education
April 9 meeting

KEY ACTION Approved the ratification of a negotiated three- year agreement between the Tuscarawas Valley Local School board of education and the Tuscarawas Valley Teacher’s Association effective July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. Certified employees will receive a 2 percent wage increase for each year of the agreement and an increase of employee insurance contribution of 13 percent the first year, 14 percent the second year and 15 percent the third year of the agreement.

DISCUSSION Erica Knowles, middle school principal and Janet Cornell, middle school Project Lead the Way Gateway to Technology teacher gave a presentation about the PLTW Distinguished School award that was received from PLTW for commitment to empowering students. A banner will display Access, Engagement, and Achievement merits. Cornell has been teaching Gateway to Technology for the past 10 years.

OTHER ACTION

n Adopted a resolution in opposition of House Bill 512. The Ohio House of Representatives is currently considering legislation that would consolidate the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Higher Education ad the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, into a new state agency called the Department of Learning and Achievement. The board agreed that this proposal was drafted without the input of students, parents, educators, administrators, school districts and board members, all of who would be negatively affected if the bill was adopted. The proposal would transfer nearly all the duties and authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction into the new state agency. District Treasurer Mark Phillips was instructed to send copies of the resolution to members of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.

n Accepted the resignation of Debbie Prochaska, Intermediate secretary for retirement, effective June 15. She has served as secretary in the district for over 19 years.

n Approved an easement agreement with the county Metropolitan Sewer District for a permanent water line and right-of-way easement and temporary construction easement, including the abandonment of an existing one-inch water service line installed under the railroad right-of-way. A new one-inch water transmission line will be connected at no cost to the district.

n Appointed board members Amy Burrier and Dick Gooding to serve as board representatives on the district safety committee.

n Employed Lawrence Leshon, Class II evening custodian at the intermediate school, on a one -year contract, effective April 2.

n Granted certificate/licensed teachers contracts of, five three-year, six two-year and eight one-year.

n Approved continuing non-teaching contracts for Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Robert Gump, Rebecca Leshon, Jennifer Wiseman, Tyler Witts.

n Granted two-year non-teaching contracts to eight employees.

n Approved two substitute employees pending verification of credentials.

n Entered into a joint agreement appointing Business Advisory Council of East Central Ohio Educational Service Center to serve as the council for the district board of education,

n Accepted donations of $500, Bank of Magnolia; $200 from Tom and Sue Gaiser; $200 Tetra Tech AEG; $100 McKenzie Tile; $50 Mark and Tammy Murphy for adopt-a- workbench; Brenda Lamp and Emmanuel Reinoehl, a piano for the middle school; Jeremy Lee, JTA Express, time and use of excavation equipment for softball field repair.

n Approved Ohio Association of Public school employees transfers Marcie Kendall, middle school aide (7.5 hours to intermediate aide (8 hours) and Loretta Reesman, intermediate aide (8 hours) middle school aide (7.5) hours a day, effective April 9.

FOR YOUR INFO

n A Literacy Night will be held from 6:30 p.m. 8 p.m. April 26 at the Primary School in Mineral City.

n Recognized Violet Hutchison, high school student of the month, Aubrie Barr, fifth grade, McKenna Stropki, sixth grade, Kaleah Dorsey, seventh grade, Trevor King, eight grade all middle school students of the month; Maddie Maurer, high school athlete of the month; Tyler King, high school fine artists of the month, Susan Thompson, middle school fine artists of the month.

n Recognized a lengthy list of students and staff for their accomplishments.

n Superintendent Mark Murphy said the school year is winding down. He presented a list of upcoming events and happenings until the end of the school year. State testing will begin and athletic schedules, field trips and school field days will end the year. Graduation will be held May 25, and the last day for students is May 30.

UP NEXT meets at 7 p.m. May 14 in the high school Trojan Center.

BARB LIMBACHER