SIDNEY — A three-year agreement with the Fairlawn Board of Education and Fairlawn Teachers Association was approved during the Monday, June 12, board meeting.
According to Superintendent Jeff Hobbs, the certified contract was ratified for three years — 2017 through 2020. The financial portion of the contract was for a one-year agreement, he said.
“We will reopen for salary and benefits only next year,” said Hobbs after the meeting. “The certified staff received a 3 percent raise and $100 toward their health insurance and $5 more toward their dental insurance.
“Fairlawn pays a certain dollar amount of the employee’s premium vs. a percentage like many other districts’. Our classified staff received the same percentage increase,” said Hobbs.
The board approved a resolution declaring its intent to proceed with a renewal of an emergency tax levy for the district. The levy, which raises approximately $150,000 per year, has been approved by district voters since the late 1970s.
Parent Amy Berger questioned the enrollment for fourth-grade for the upcoming school year. She has a child who would be in the class through open enrollment. She has two other students in the district, also through open enrollment.
“We have a limit of 50 kids in the class,” said Hobbs. “We have 59 kids because some moved into the district. That’s too many students in one class (29) and we have no room for a third class.”
Berger was told if space opens up — probably in sixth grade — then her child could be open enrolled back into the district.
The board accepted the resignation of high school principal Rebekkah Egbert. She also serves as the Pre-K principal. Her resignation is effective July 31.
Egbert has been hired as a psychology assistant by the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.
The board also accepted the resignations of Luciano Tacuri, Spanish teacher; Sarah Braun, assistant track coach; Betty Scott, part-time custodian; Kevin Stapelton, alternative education coordinator; and Meaghen Tidwell, varsity cheerleading adviser.
A continuing contract was awarded to Matthew Hickman beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
A one-year, limited service contract was awarded to Timothy J. Brown as an aide for the 2017-18 school year at $11.95 per hour. He was also hired as head soccer coach for the 2017-18 school year. He will be paid $3,389.
A one-year contract was awarded to Todd Acker as part-time custodian. He will be paid $12.54per hour.
Also approved was an amendment to Hobbs’ contract dealing with health insurance; the classified salary schedule and benefits; and athletic supplemental schedule.
Five motions passed by a 3-1 vote with board member Tony Bensman casting a no vote on each one.
The board approved the Amizade overnight trip to West Virginia in the spring of 2018 with Elizabeth Maxson as adviser. Nine people are going on the seven-day trip. Bensman voted no on the request.
A one-time insurance bonus of $2,700 for Hobbs was approved 3-1, with Bensman voting no.
Three service contracts were awarded to Elixabeth Maxson for the 2017-18 school year. She will be the musical director for $2,033.44; fall drama production dinner theatre coordinator, $1,016.70; and drama club adviser, $1,355.60. Each motion passed by a 3-1 vote with Bensman voting no on each one.
After the meeting, Bensman was asked why he voted no on the motions. His answer was “no comment” on his vote.
Sonya Phillips received two service contracts. One contract is to be choir concert director and the other is for the children’s choir for grades K-3 and4-6. Both are for the 2017-18 school year.
Aaron Cox received a service contract for the musical sound system for the 2017-18 school year. He will be paid $500. Rita Gilfillen abstained from voting as Cox is her son-in-law.
Three motions were tabled: A salary increase for the administrative staff; a salary increase for Justin Tidwell, athletic director; and salary increase for Aaron Cox, technology administrator.
Hobbs said the board wanted all members present for the motions. Board member Bob Gold was not present for the meeting.
K-8 Principal Stekli reported the high school musical went off without a hitch. He also discussed the gifted program for the district. Teachers must have 30 hours of professional development to teach the program. He said teachers will receive 5 hours of gifted development next year. Sonya Phillips, he said, is interested in being a gifted specialist.
Stekli said Power of the Pen is being added for grades 6-8 and the Model UN program is also going to be added.
Hobbs said the district received a $3,000 grant from Lowe’s for the installation of a security system on every door in the building. The district’s cost will be $1,000.
The board’s next meeting will be July 13 at 6:30 p.m.
