Andrew Walsh
awalsh@wbcowqel.com

Buckeye Central found itself a board member short once again as the newest member to the Board of Education resigned before taking his seat.

During his report Superintendent Mark Robinson announced that Mike Dean, who had been elected in 2015, resigned his post effective Jan. 14. Robinson cited Dean’s reason as a change in pursuing personal goals. The district has 30 days to appoint a replacement. The board will begin taking applications and appoint a replacement at the Feb. 11 regular meeting.

The Buckeye Central School held its 2016 organizational meeting prior to its January regular board meeting Thursday night.

During the organizational part of the meeting the board swore in newly elected members Missy McDougaland Jerome Heydinger. Missy was re-elected to a four-year term. Heydinger, who had been appointed in 2015 to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Steve Aichholz, was elected to a four-year term.

Also during this organizational meeting, McDougalr was elected to another term as school board president. Beth Diesch was elected as the board vice president. Committee assignments were also handed out during the organizational meeting. The Finance Committee will be handled by the entire board, on a rotating basis. Chris Martin will handle the Legislative Committee, Beth Diesch will took student achievement, and Diesch and Heydinger will tackle the Policy Committee.

The regular meeting commenced immediately following the conclusion of the organizational meeting. In the treasurer’s report, Nancy Ackerman stated that halfway through the fiscal year and the financial projections are matching up almost exactly with the financial realities. She also previewed that the markets appear to be turning favorable to a bond refinance. She and  Robinson will be watching this situation closely over the coming months.

One of the district’s plans over the next couple of years will be the pursuit of the one-to-one technology program. This program will see, at the conclusion of its implementation and one laptop/tablet per student in the district. It will begin in the 2016-17 school year at the sixth, ninth, and tenth grade levels, with an additional cart of devices exclusive to the fourth grade. This will encompass approximately 250 machines.

Assuming the successful completion of its initial year, the program will be finalized in the 2017-18 school year. This will see one device per student in grades 4-12, with an exclusive cart of devices assigned each to grades K-3.

The administration has begun to review potential replacements for the vacant post of varsity head football coach. So far eight candidates have expressed interest.

The next Buckeye Central Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Feb. 11, in the multi-purpose room.