By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The halls of Buckeye Central will have a new look to them – or at least a new face looking over them – for the 2015-2016 school year. The Buckeye Central Board of Education approved the retirement of Principal Jay Zeiter on Thursday night.
After starting at Buckeye Central in 1993, Zeiter will step down as high school principal on June 30.
“I would like to thank the board for having faith in me, but really it is about the kids,” Zeiter said in his address to the board. “My favorite day is graduation day and seeing all the kids that worked hard to get there and receive their diploma.”
With 24 years of experience in the Buckeye Central School District, middle school teacher Linda Schulze’s retirement date of May 31 was also approved by school board.
Superintendent Mark Robinson explained how Buckeye Central will replace the 46 years of experience between the two positions.
“It is going to be difficult when you lose 46 years of experience. It is very difficult to bring all of the knowledge back into the district, and all of the caring and the passion that they have,” Robinson said. “What we will do is we will go out and do a full-blown search look around for who we want to put into those positions, and then start to build that kind of environment with those folks. You know, and hopefully they will be here for another 22-24 years.”
“I think the thing that is important is that we do find somebody who cares about the community, has the passion that Jay has had over the years, and has kids at the center of everything they do. That is who we are going to be looking for,” Robinson continued.
All other items on the agenda were unanimously approved.
Common Core was up for discussion at the Thursday’s board meeting when board member Steve Aichholz asked if the school district was for or against the Common Core method of teaching.
Robinson responded by saying that currently the district is in favor of Common Core.
Board member Beth Diesch said that the Common Core curriculum being taught at Buckeye Central is available for public review.
“The curriculum we develop to teach Common Core – any parent can walk into the superintendent’s office to review what is being taught in classes,” Diesch said.
The Buckeye Central Board of Education recognized numerous students for their achievements for the month of October. New National Honor Society members were commended for their induction into the group as well as completing in 30 hours of community service since June. 2013 Buckeye Central graduates Austin McCracken, Ross Jones, Andrew Stockmaster, and Ryan Niedermier were recognized for being American Degree Recipients for their work through the FFA.
The next Buckeye Central School Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Multipurpose Room.