GALION — After previously voting to terminate its contract with Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center in Mansfield, the Northmor Board of Education voted Tuesday evening on the future of services provided to the district.
In the end, the board voted to return to Mid-Ohio ESC on the recommendation by Northmor Superintendent Chad Redmon.
Concerns at the December board meeting about the leadership in place and the future of Mid-Ohio ESC were the primary reasons for the board to initially vote to keep its options open.
Redmon said the recent hiring of current Bucyrus City Schools Superintendent Kevin Kimmel as the future superintendent of Mid-Ohio ESC has erased the previous concerns of the organization’s leadership.
“Mr. Kimmel has done a fantastic job leading Bucyrus City Schools,” Redmon said. “I had the good fortune of being the Morrow County representative that sat in on the pre-interviews of that position and I believe with Mr. Kimmel’s leadership, that Mid-Ohio will get back to being a wonderful organization.”
He said he believes Mid-Ohio will continue to build a stronger supporting staff under Kimmel’s leadership and better serve those school who look to the organization for various services.
Northmor Local Schools uses Mid-Ohio services such as physical therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological services, special education services and others.
The new contract will be effective July 1 and will be active through June 30, 2021.
Also, during the board meeting, Northmor Local Schools treasurer Tammi Cowell was recognized for receiving the Ohio Association of School Business Officials Distinguished Service Award for the central region.
One award per region is given each year, meaning Cowell’s nomination went against every central school in the state including large Columbus schools.
“Against schools like Pickerington, Hilliard and Olentangy,” Cowell said. “Little schools like us don’t normally get awards like this against the bigger schools.”
Cowell will receive a plaque and a student at Northmor will receive a $500 scholarship.
Redmon said Cowell’s response to being notified about the award was excitement for a student to get a scholarship.
“She wasn’t focused on the plaque,” Redmon said. “She was excited that this award could help a student.”
Cowell will receive her award and the scholarship at a conference later this spring.