BOTKINS — The Botkins Board of Education met Sept. 17 to discuss several big achievements.
The board learned Botkins is one of the top 500 schools as determined by Newsweek for “Beating the Odds”. Botkins was also ranked as one of the top schools as reported by the Dayton Business Journals. The new school building earned LEED Gold Certification.
The board reviewed ACT scores for the 2014-15 school year. Five year averages were reported. These were Botkins highest scores in five years. They were above the state average in all areas and above the state average in college readiness.
Casey Dietz gave an update on Cole Field. Cole Field will be 90 years old. This summer volunteers helped with renovations. The transformation is amazing. Sept. 26 is going to be a volunteer work day. Dugouts and back stops will be painted. They will be placing weed mats and crushed limestone. Leah Koenig will be painting the logo. A Sheets Grant was filled out for the next phase.
The board hired the following personnel per salary schedule as presented:
• Brianna Bertke, Kerry DuLaney, Megan Miller, Helen Ward, Amanda Frey, Carrie New, Sara Hull, Emma Kuck as substitute teachers
• Ken Lemmon and Daniel Wyan as athletic workers
• Olivia Schneider as assistant musical director
• Rita Monnin as a substitute aide
• Harold Poppe, erate
• Kayla Sherman as an instructional aide
• James Mullen for maintenance at 20 hours per week.
Also in hiring, the board:
• Approved Chad Berning’s supplemental contract via the 5th Quarter Grant per salary schedule for the 2015-16 school year at $4,379.
• Approved Jill Haywood and Cathy Bajwa as volunteers in the cafeteria.
• Approved Nichole Moon from Wright State Lake Campus as a student observer two days a week with the kindergarten until Christmas.
• Approved the following student athletic workers at minimum was as presented: Luke Bergman, Chad Bergman, Alex Bergman and McKenzie Depinet.
• Accepted the resignation of Holly Russell effective September 4, 2015.
Progress continues on renovations of the Athletic Complex. They have temporary occupancy for use of weight room and locker room area. Gym speakers will be installed next
Asphalt has been poured and striping is complete. Grass has been planted. Fuel tank permit has been granted. They hope to have full occupancy by mid-October.
The audit of the board continues to be in progress.
Also at the board meeting they:
• Approved the updates to the Board Policy.
• Accepted a $1,000 donation from Greve Farm and $50 donation from Phyllis Zorn for the scholarship fund.
• Reviewed enrollment figures. The enrollment is 684 students. It has increased since 2011-12.
• Reviewed park agreement for calendar year 2016.
• Approved to designate the DP & L rebate to be receipted in to the Permanent Improvement Fund. The approximate amount generated is $35,000.
• Agreed to post the current and future Casino revenue to the textbook set aside account. This is annually an amount of $32, 500.
• Adopted appropriations for the fiscal year 2016 and also approved an Amendment to the Certificate of Estimated Resources.
