Lincolnview hears legislative update

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education heard an update on the state’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation and also approved a number of “housekeeping” items during its September meeting Tuesday evening.

The board heard a report on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee by Elementary Principal Gordon Stemen, who noted that a test will be administered to students in grades K-3, and that students who test below their grade level in reading can be retained in that grade and also have to undergo additional reading instruction the following year.

However, Stemen added that, if students improve to the point where they are reading at grade level by mid-year, they could then be promoted to the next grade.

Board President Eric Germann, who is also Lincolnview district legislative liaison, noted that information continues to change on how districts can implement the program, with the biggest issue being how to fund it. He noted that more funding ideas are expected next month.

The Third Grade Reading Achievement Test will be administered starting October 2, Stemen said.

Interim Superintendent Doug Karst also provided a brief update on the search for a replacement for former superintendent Doug Fries. Karst said the district has received between 14 and 15 resumes for the position and should receive two or three more by the deadline this Friday.

Treasurer Troy Bowersock noted that payments related to the school’s most recent building project are mostly completed, with one payment outstanding to the construction manager for the project. After all payments are made, Bowersock said the construction fund should have a balance of approximately $56,000.

In personnel-related action, the board hired Keith Hill and Tommy Sandefer as substitute school bus drivers and also granted supplemental Ohio Graduation Test intervention contracts to Kevin Losh (social studies) and Gary Nolan (science). The contracts authorize a maximum of 10 hours of intervention instruction per subject during the first semester of the 2012-2013 school year.

In other action, the board:

• Approved athletic ticket prices as presented for the current school year.
• Approved the athletic program pay scale and professional leave reimbursement guidelines.
• Approved junior and senior high school workbook bills/fees as presented.
• Accepted a grant donation of $2,000 from the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund of the Cooper Family Foundation to assist with development of a “Golden Rule” anti-bullying program.
• Authorized a depository agreement with Citizens National Bank for a five-year period.
• Approved a revised Marsh School calendar for the current school year.
• Approved a list of open enrollment students for the 2012-2013 school year.
• Selected Tony Campbell as the Lincolnview employee representative to the Van Wert Area Schools Insurance Group.
• Approved a payment of $21,466.16 to the Marsh Foundation for the current school year.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, at the Marsh Foundation.