By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Bucyrus City Schools Board of Education agreed to work with a new group attempting to bring Crawford County citizens in poverty out of economic despair Thursday night.
During his report to the board, Bucyrus City Schools Superintendent Kevin Kimmel discussed the Crawford Works program and the school possibly entering into a partnership with the non-profit organization.
Kimmel noted that the Crawford Works program is headed by Robin Hildebrand and Dave Williamson, and that the purpose of the program is to try to move local citizens out of poverty and into a more sustainable life.
Kimmel reported that the program, which isn’t associated with the Crawford County Partnership, was seeking two partnerships with thee schools. The first partnership would be a school partnership which is no cost to the school, and offers the school’s verbal support of the program. The second partnership is an employee partnership in which those that have gone through the Crawford Works boot camp and would receive preferential treatment when applying for a job.
After Kimmel’s explanation of the program, the Bucyrus Board of Education agreed to enter into both partnerships with Crawford Works.
Treasurer Ryan Cook gave an update on the elementary school’s roofing situation. Cook began with the good news that the school building didn’t need a full roof replacement. However bubbling that has occurred will need to be addressed. Cook noted that an estimation for a full replacement for the roof would cost in the $185,000 range, whereas the estimate for the bubbling repairs would be in the $50,000 to $60,000 range.
Cook also noted that the masonry chimneys that are not in use at the elementary should be removed and to cap and seal them at the roof level in order to keep out excess moisture.
Cook made mention to the board that at the September meeting he will ask for approval for digitizing school records so that the current files no longer pose a fire safety hazard. Cook reported that the school received a letter from the Bucyrus Fire Department detailing the hazard after an inspection of the Lincoln Administrative Center found that the records were too close to the ceiling.
In Lorie Pennington’s annual competitive food report, she explained that with the audit, no citations were given from the Ohio Department of Education auditor.
The Bucyrus Board of Education approved all items on the agenda including the acceptance of a $289 donation from the Bucyrus City School District Staff Scholarship Fund.
The following press release was also received from the district regarding action taken at Thursday’s meeting.
A strong partnership between schools and community organizations will continue through the 2016-2017 school year. The Bucyrus City School District Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding with Community Counseling Services in Bucyrus during the regular monthly meeting August 25.
The partnership gives students at both the Bucyrus Elementary and Secondary Schools the opportunity to work with therapists from Community Counseling Services, Inc. The staff also plays a key role in working with students connected with Wrap Around services.
“Cindy Wallis and the staff of Community Counseling think outside the box to come up with unconventional solutions that might help to remove barriers our students and families face,” Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “We have great partnerships with many community organizations, and our relationship with Community Counseling Services, Inc. will continue to have a tremendously positive impact on our students, their families and our staff.”