Creative classroom projects presented foundation grants

Four Rossford teachers received classroom grants at the February 10 meeting of the Rossford Board of Education.

Presented by the Bulldog Foundation, the $1,517 will provide books, electronic tablets and a cutting machine to add creative experiences for students.

“The Bulldog Foundation has done a terrific job of raising funds,” Superintendent Dan Creps said. “One of the many ways they are working to support our schools is teacher grants.”

Rex Huffman, foundation board member agreed. “This is exactly the purpose. We want to try to enhance the academic experiences of Rossford students.”

Mr. Huffman presented a check to Miki Hodge, English language arts teacher, to purchase books “that reflect the lives of Rossford students.”

Shelley Bertsch, high school librarian, received a check to buy a Cricut cutter that allows student to print a design on and cut many types of paper, vinyl, fabric, foam, leather and more.

“Students can create and make what they like,” she told the board.

Allison Switzer and Jenna Bachmayer, seventh-grade math teachers, will be purchasing touchscreen Chromebooks for students to watch and create tutorial math videos.

“Last year, we noticed a need for online assistance outside the classroom,” Ms. Switzer explained.

So during the past summer, the two women created a series of math lesson videos that students could access from home.

“Some students are a little more advanced and working at a faster pace,” she said.

“We have accelerated students a whole chapter ahead, taking tests and showing us they are mastering the content.”

The tablets allow the teachers to record their voices and write on the screen “so they [students] can see us work out a problem,” Switzer added.

Ms. Bachmayer said the tablets also can be used by more advanced students to help their peers.

“If they are working ahead, they can record a video and teach their classmates,” she noted.

Mr. Huffman said the foundation is pleased with the teachers’ proposals.

“It makes you proud of what we do,” he added.

Board member Tiffany Densic agreed. “Ladies, thank you so much for what you are doing.”

In a related matter, board member Kent Murphree thanked Police Chief Todd Kitzler for organizing the Polar Bear Plunge as a fundraiser for the foundation last month.

“That went off very well,” he said, but added with a laugh, “I recommend donating the money but not jumping in the water–it was cold.”

Personnel Matters

The board took the following action on personnel matters:

•Approved employment of Ron Stewart, 12-month custodian at Rossford Junior-Senior High School, $22.80 per hour, effective January 28; Teresa Finley, cafeteria/playground aide at Rossford Elementary School, 2.5 hours per day, $14.61 per hour, effective February 11; Mary Rabquer, elementary paraprofessional/special needs aide, seven hours per day, $16.15 per hour, effective February 11.

•Accepted the resignation of Leah St. Mary, cheerleader advisor, effective January 23.

•Issued supplemental contracts for 2019-20 to Robert Abbey, assistant track, $4,043; Derek Krieger, boys tennis, $4,447; Joseph Durco, Bridgette Fulwider and Crystal Murtha, junior high track, $3,234 each; John Taylor, assistant baseball, $4,043; Rhianon Barlos, drama choreographer, $1,213.

•Approved as volunteers for 2019-20–Sylvia Angel Lindsay Avery, Laren Cox, Dave McClellan, Beverly Ricciardo, Samantha Spears, Chelsea Straub and Brian Wolfe.

•Entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Rossford Association of Classroom Teachers to set the hourly rate in the 2019-2022 collective bargaining agreement as–2019-20 from $27.69 to $28.39; 2020-21 from $28.25 to $28.96, and 2021-22 from $28.81 to $29.54.

•Entered into an agreement with the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West for interpreter services effective the 2019-20.

•Rescinded an assistant varsity football supplemental contract issued to Samuel Beale at the August 26, 2019 board meeting.

•Approved certified and classified substitutes for 2019- 20.

•Met in executive session to discuss the treasurer’s and superintendent’s evaluations, but did not take action afterward.

Other Business

In other business, the board:

•Heard from board member Jackie Huffman that the facilities committee met with Fire Chief Josh Drouard to clarify the concerns about the new junior/senior high school meeting the fire code.

“It was a good conversation,” she said. “He clarified some of the testing, and they will re-do the testing soon.”

The committee also will meet with the state fire marshal’s office as well to clarify their concerns, she added.

Several weeks before the school’s opening, the sprinkler system, fire alarm and hood suppression system failed the state inspection, but passed upon re-testing.

There also were three remaining concerns from the Wood County building inspection official.

•Heard from Mrs. Densic that the portable classroom units at Indian Hills School were removed from the property as of February 10.

•Approved purchase of a Ford F350 extended cab pickup truck with an added utility box, plow and trailer hitch for the buildings and grounds/maintenance department.

The cost, after trade-in, is $51,800.

•Heard that the RHS Athletic Boosters donated $11,000 for new scorers’ tables for fall and winter sports in the new gym.

The boosters will hold their reverse raffle March 28 with a “March Madness” theme.

•Authorized 2020-21 membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

•Learned that Neal Applin, buildings and grounds supervisor, is considering the purchase of two “Clorox 360” sprayer machines to help control cold and flu outbreaks in schools.

•Learned that Erin Perry, director of student services, spoke with the Wood County Educational Service Center’s special education supervisor about the need to increase speech and occupational therapy services “due to the growing district need.”

•Heard that Janet Orr, school social worker, has served about 20 families during the past four months.

•Entered into an agreement with the University of Toledo for its College Credit Plus program for 2020-21.

•Extended the contract with Program Solutions Group for one additional month, at a cost of $12,500.

The board’s next regular meeting is 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 9, at Rossford Elementary School cafeteria, 28500 Lime City Road. The meeting is open to the public.