By Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com
The Board of Education for the Bucyrus City School District spent part of its meeting on Thursday finding out what the community has to say.
Superintendent Kevin Kimmel presented the findings of the OSBA Community Survey, and the Open Enrollment In and Out surveys. These surveys have identified the following areas as key pieces to focus on: Programs and Academics; Climate and Culture; and Relationships and Communication.
The district has already been working on these areas for some time, but the surveys confirmed that the work being done is good. Some of the tangible steps they have already taken include partnerships with local employers to prepare students and raise workforce awareness. They have started a mentorship program through the Rotary Club. These mentors are working with students who may not have had the best academic experience but are on track to graduate. They are working on putting plans together for the next steps after high school.
The senior capstone project is also being expanded. Bucyrus just recently graduated its first class to have participated in this project. The internships provided by this program have done a lot of good showing students real world experience for potential career paths.
Kimmel also extolled the value in communication that the surveys themselves expressed. The feedback received from the community was good and the district wants to continue with this open door situation. To that end, monthly building newsletters have begun, along with the District Alert App that has been started.
In discussion items, Kimmel raised the subject of the 2014-2015 school calendar. This is the first school year of keeping track by hours instead of days. Kimmel asked the board to consider at what point in cancellations should the district consider makeup time. Under the new set up, the district could go 22 days of cancellations without needing to makeup time.
Many other districts have stuck to the old five-day rule; anything over five cancellations and they will begin making up the time. Kimmel liked the sound of this but asked the Board to consider which direction it would like to take.
In the financial report, Treasurer Ryan Cook stated that the solar panels are up and running on the roof of the secondary school. It is hoped that the over 2,200 panels will provide more than half of the school’s power.
Today will be Tena Herman’s last day after 30 years in the district. Kimmel thanked her for all of her service and stated, “She will be sorely missed.”
The next meeting will be in the New Year. At 6 p.m. on Jan. 12 there will be a special organizational meeting, with the regular meeting to follow.