By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The superintendent’s position at Buckeye Central won’t be in question until 2020 after the district’s Board of Education approved renewing Mark Robinson’s contract Thursday night.
The contract, which will run from Aug. 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, was approved by a 4-0 vote by the board. After approving the contract Jerome Heydinger thanked Robinson for the time and effort he puts into his job as the superintendent.
Robinson explained what he hopes to accomplish during the contracted period.
“First thing I would like to thank the board. I appreciate their confidence in me,” Robinson said. “Going forward it wouldn’t be my plans as a superintendent as much as our plans as a school district, and that is why I am honored and feel good about it because there are a lot of good things going on in the district educationally. We are looking at some facility projects. I guess going forward my plans are to keep that on track and make this not only one of the finest districts in our county, but the state of Ohio.”
During his report to the board, Robinson reflected on the district’s recent tragedy with the death of one of their students.
“The district has come together,” Robinson said. “We had people in that were able to speak with the kids on Wednesday. We will continue to keep the student’s family in our thoughts and prayers. We never want to report on these types of things, but it is good to see the community coming together and showing their support.”
Robinson also gave a report on the Verizon cell phone tower during his report.
“Right now we are not on the construction schedule. We are now considered a pipeline project, which means that if they complete a construction project ahead of schedule and have enough time to fit us in then they will,” Robinson said. “They may begin construction possibly in 2017, though all I can tell you is that we are going to get the tower- just not sure when. The good news is that the payments are supposed to start this year.”
Treasurer Nancy Ackerman gave numbers on what the district’s savings would be as a result of reissuing bonds.
“I’m not as pleased with the rate, but I am pleased with the sale of the bonds,” Ackerman said. “We had a net saving of $730,000 which is over the $650,000 that was first planned. This has been what we have been wanting is the numbers for it.”
Board President Missy McDougal thanked Robinson and Ackerman for their work on the bond resale.
“I would like to thank Mark and Nancy. It didn’t always go like we thought, but we are very appreciative of your efforts,” McDougal said.
The Buckeye Central Board of Education approved all personnel items on the agenda.
The next Buckeye Central Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday May, 12.