By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

The Galion school board set the 2014 calendar year into motion by holding its organizational meeting Tuesday night in the Galion Middle School Library.

Newly elected board member Heath Watkins and incumbent Jennifer Kuns were sworn in by Galion City Schools Treasurer Terri Day.

During the organizational meeting Superintendent Mark Stefanik held a public hearing on the 2014-2015 school year district calendar. During the presentation Stefanik outline that with state mandates the school year will be viewed in hours instead of days. Stefanik explained that by using the 2013-2014 district school calendar, the school will have 1,180 hours which exceeds the 1,001 minimum hours for students in grades 7-12. The first reading for the 2014-2015 school year calendar was approved.

Familiar faces will lead the school board as incumbent President Dennis Long was elected the school board’s president for 2014. Incumbent Vice President Jennifer Kuns was also re-elected.

Board meetings will be changing up for the 2014 calendar year by switching their meeting times to the third Thursday of the month. The time of 6:30 p.m. and location of the Middle School Library will remain the same. The board also designated the first Thursday during the months of February, April, August, and October as work session meetings. These meetings will also be held at 6:30 p.m. in the library.

The board approved all operational items for the 2014 calendar year including authorizing the treasurer to invest funds, pay ball bills, and invest all funds. The organizational items approved also allow for the superintendent to employ personnel in emergency situations, as well as act as purchase agent in emergency situations.

Board President Dennis Long was selected to serve as Legislative Liaison, Pioneer Career Technology Center School Board, and the OAPSE Labor Relations Committee. Board Vice President Jennifer Kuns was appointed to be a delegate for the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Annual Conference, Student Achievement Liaison, OAPSE Labor Relations Committee, and on the Audit Committee. Bob Zeisler will serve on the GEA Labor Relations Committee, as well as serve as the alternate for the OSBA Annual Conference, and as alternate for the audit Committee. Brian Owens will serve on the GEA Labor Relations Committee, new Board member Heath Watkins will serve on the Galion Area Betterment Commission with Superintendent Mark Stefanik.

The board had a first reading for the 2014 district goals draft prior to going into the regular meeting. The draft will be finalized in February.