VWCS Bd. OKs school safety resolution

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert City Board of Education adopted an Ohio School Boards Association resolution in support of school safety and reducing violence in schools, while also hearing a presentation on Van Wert Elementary School’s Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program during its March meeting on Wednesday.

Interim Superintendent Staci Kaufman said the school safety resolution was adopted unanimously by the OSBA’s Board of Trustees, noting that it was something that included plenty of discussion.

“This is one of the rare issues that has no middle ground,” she said, noting that Americans’ opinions on school safety are very polarized at this point in time. “This was not an easy resolution for the OSBA to create.”

The resolution calls on the president to make a priority of protecting students and school employees through passage of legislation that would improve mental health services and increase access to school safety measures, as well as training for school employees, while also preserving the balance between Second Amendment rights and protection of students and staff from gun violence.

Prior to the board’s approval of the resolution, Jeff Hood, Van Wert Federation of Teachers president, also read a resolution approved by the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) at a recent convention that seeks more action from state legislators on the school safety issue.

The resolution sought to have the Ohio General Assembly pass legislation to fund security systems for school, as well as require more intensive background checks for gun purchases, raise the age for those purchasing guns to 21, provide Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and close loopholes in current gun purchase regulations.

Hood noted, though, that neither the OFT or the American Federation of Teachers is in favor of arming teachers in the classroom, although he noted some individual teachers may favor doing so.

“One thing that’s pretty clear through the AFT and the OFT, and I would think that our local would also echo this, is that there is very little support for teachers to be armed,” Hood said.

In addition to the OSBA school safety resolution, the board also approved a resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 512, which calls for consolidating the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation into a new agency called the Department of Learning and Achievement.

Kaufman said the legislation, which is also opposed by the OSBA, includes a number of unanswered questions that need positive answers before the bill should be approved.

Board members also heard from VWES Principal Justin Krogman, who introduced Jeremy Stemen and Jeff Blackmore, two members of the school’s Watch DOGS program.

The program brings in fathers, stepfathers, and grandfathers of students into the building to provide positive role models to students — especially those who don’t have father role models at home.

Both Stemen and Blackmore, who are also Van Wert police officers, said they enjoyed the program and felt it provided positive feedback for both students and those participating in the program.

Stemen said he hadn’t realized the scope of the program when he first began participating, but found that he was also able to help out teachers in the classroom, as well as interact with students — something he said he enjoyed very much.

“It’s a chance to see kids on another level,” Blackmore said, noting that, as a police officer, he often sees kids at their worst. “It’s a great program.”

Van Wert Athletic Director Craig Hershey was also at the meeting and gave an update on fall and winter sports activities, noting that approximately 34 percent of VWHS students participated on a school athletic team in the fall, while approximately 22 percent of students were on a winter sports team.

In other action, the board:

Reclassified assistant cook Shawn Germann as head cook and made it retroactive to the beginning of the school year.

Accepted the following donations: Van Wert County Foundation, $2,000 for the VWHS Robotics Club; Eaton Corporation, $30,000 for the VWES Literacy Collaborative and $12,000 for the VWES Wellness Program; StateWide Ford and Lincoln, $50 for the FCCLA; Strategence Capital LLC, $125 to the Van Wert City Schools Endowment Fund for Educators; Richard and Michelle Spridgeon, $500 for the Van Wert Wrestling Athletic Account; and several Van Wert Middle School Renaissance donations — Greif Brothers, $200; Raymond James Charitable Foundation, $1,000; Central Mutual Insurance Company, $1,500; Tawindra Petroleum Inc. (doing business as Ohio City Express), $110; Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, $100; Van Wert County Hospital, $100; Cowan Funeral Home Inc., $100; Tisha Fast Insurance Agency Inc., $50; Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home Inc., $100; Sparetime LLC (Olympic Lanes), $50; J. Richard Sealscott CPA Inc., $50; Unverferth Family Dentistry Inc., $50; Bebout & Houg Roofing & Siding Inc., $25.

Increased VWHS guidance counselor Kerry Koontz’ extended days by 10 days, to 30 days, for the purpose of expanding the CEO program to a countywide program.

Added 10 days to Theresa Whittington’s contract, retroactive to the beginning of the school year.

Approved salaries of Other Personnel for the three contract years ending in 2019-2020 as presented.

Authorized the administrative salary schedule for the three contract years.

Approved a satellite agreement with Vantage Career Center for the 2018-19 school year.

Acknowledges the VWHS Symphonic Band for receiving a superior rating, the highest rating possible, at the recent OMEA district band and choir competition.

Were informed that Van Wert City Schools will offer district parents the opportunity to provide recommendations or suggestions for special education programs and services. Interested district parents can schedule appointments with either Ruth Ann Dowler, special services coordinator, or Early Childhood Center Principal Lori Bittner.

Went into executive session to discuss district school security arrangements and safety protocols.

The next meeting of the Van Wert City Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in the district conference room in the S.F. Goedde Building, 205 W. Crawford St.