By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Buckeye Central Board of Education will be down one member for the time being, as it was announced Thursday that Steve Aichholz is resigning the position.
Aichholz’s resignation is effective July 1 due to career reasons. The board has 30 days to appoint his replacement who will serve on the board until Dec. 31. An election to fill the balance of that unexpired term will be on November’s ballot. Board President Missy MacDougal and Mike Kalb’s four-year terms also end this year and will also be on the November ballot.
Superintendent Mark Robinson thanked Aichholz for his time as a member of the Board of Education.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to Steve for serving on the Board of Education. He’s served for almost two years now, and he is looking at other career opportunities. That is why his letter said he is stepping down,” Robinson said. “We are going to miss him. We are going to miss him when it comes to the maintenance portion of the district, because he is very good at that, and buildings and grounds, and we are just wish him the best.”
Those interested in the seat on the Board of Education being vacated by Aichholz should submit a letter of interest to Superintendent Mark Robinson.
Things may be getting brighter in Buckeye Central’s gymnasiums. During his presentation to the board Thursday night Buckeye Central Maintenance Director Jarrod Clady outlined a project that would replace the current lighting fixtures in the high school and middle school gymnasiums as well as the multipurpose room to brighter LED lighting. The LED light is expected to last 100,000 hours and save the school as much as $73,000 over a 10-year period. The LED fixtures cost $251.47 per fixture, but the school would be eligible for a $5,000 grant through GE.
The project is expected to begin by the end of July and be completed in time for the start of classes on Aug. 19.
Board members approved a motion for Treasurer Nancy Ackerman to make supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 as well as temporary appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016. During her report Ackerman noted that everything was on track with the five-year forecast, but with the biennium budget, as well as foundation funds there are a few unknowns that will be figured out over the next three to four months.
The board approved all personnel recommendations during Thursday night’s meeting. Among those were new high school science teacher Brenda Ruffing, new elementary teacher, Christa Swanger, and intervention and reading specialist Tabatha Lane. The board also approved the resignation of Thad Metzger as high school science teacher.
The retirements of high school secretary Janet Reed, and custodian Larry Beck were also approved.
The next Buckeye Central Board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on July 30.