By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

The Buckeye Central Board of Education held a lengthy discussion on a possible drug and alcohol testing policy Thursday night.

During Superintendent Mark Robinson’s report and discussion to the board he noted that he along with boardmember Lisa Aichholz met with Great Lakes Biomedical. He felt comfortable with using them as the vendor that the school uses when the policy goes into effect, noting that they charge $15 per drug test administered.

Who would receive the tests is still up for discussion as it would involve students in grades 9-12 and could include student-athletes and those involved with any extracurricular activity including marching band, FFA, National Honor Society, and the various clubs that meet.

Boardmember Beth Diesch added to the discussion by noting that the school needs to follow up on the tests to ensure that kids that can be helped get help.

Robinson stated that every child with a positive test would be required to go through a state agency for help for the substance that they had tested positive for with the underlying goal to identify the kids with issues and get them the help that they need.

Robinson said that parents would have to give consent for the testing to take place.

Describing an example of policy, Robinson noted that on the first violation the student would need to seek out a state certified counselor, would be denied 45 days of school driving privileges, and would lose eligibility for the season if the student didn’t follow up.

Robinson stated that the school’s current draft policy is almost identical to Crestline and Seneca East’s existing drug and alcohol policies.

Robinson expressed that he would like to hold a community meeting on the subject prior to the board of education approving the new policy.

The Buckeye Central board approved a few new business courses to be taught at the school. The new classes will be Career Tech Business and Administrative Services Pathway Courses for students in grades 7-12.

Buckeye Central substitute teachers will see a pay raise effective February 13, 2017. The Buckeye Central Board of Education approved a pay increase from $75 to $85 per day. For substitute teachers assigned to the same position the pay rate will be $95 per day.

S&K Development LLC was given a two-year contract for lawn mowing services from April 1, 2017 – March 30, 2019. Also approved was to extend the natural gas contract with Direct Energy through June 30, 2019.

The Buckeye Central Board of Education approved Mark Heydinger as Musical Director for spring, also approved was Kari Tarvin as Musical Accompanist.