SIDNEY — Two new programs will be implemented during the 2016-17 school year for students in the Sidney City Schools District. And one of the programs could mean a new bicycle for fourth-grade students.
Superintendent John Scheu told the board of education during its Monday meeting that Cargill is partnering with the school to start the Cargill Perfect Attendance Award. The program will honor all fourth-grade students who have perfect attendance during the school year.
“They want to recognize and reward students,” said Scheu. “They are doing something out of the ordinary. For every fourth-grade student with perfect attendance, they will be awarded a bicycle at the end of the school year.
“Cargill representatives and the bicycle will be at the open houses to talk about the program,” he said.
Scheu said Cargill is also looking other plans for the future but nothing has been finalized at this time.
The district, said Scheu, is one of 18 school districts in Ohio who have been selected to participate in the Ohio Arts Council TeachArtsOhio Residency. Longfellow Elementary School and Sidney Middle School will be participating in the program.
“They offer dance, theater, music or visual arts,” said Scheu. “The principals will pick which one they want to do.”
A resident artist will be in each building several days a week during the school year, said Scheu.
Scheu also announced that the results from the Aug. 2 special election have been certified. He said that Tom Boecker, retired Wilson Hospital CEO, and Bill Warner have volunteered to co-chair the November levy committee with Ken McElroy. They met with Scheu on Tuesday and are planning another meeting for Aug. 24.
“We ready for the first day of school,” said Scheu. Concrete in front of the elementary schools have been fixed. Mulching has been completed at the schools and the white boards have been resurfaced. New chairs were also purchased where needed.
“It’s been quite a busy summer,” said Scheu.
In other business, the board:
• Approved the contract renewal with PowerSchool at a cost of $16,739.
• Accepted the resignation due to retirement of Rita Taylor, cook, effective Oct. 31.
• Employed Kristy Kendall as an aide at $16.43 per hour effective Aug. 19. A Sidney High School graduate, she had been employed at Tender Hearts Child Care for 16 years.
• Employed Rebecca Gehret, Kristin Allen and Marcus Mabelitini as substitute teachers at $90 per day on an as-needed contract.
• Employed Annette Johnson as a home instructor tutor at $25.35 per day on an as-needed contract.
• Employed Stacey New, substitute aide, $11.01 per hour, and Kathleen Lambert, substitute cook, $9.49 per hour, on an as-needed contract.
• Awarded supplemental contracts to Emily Watkins, SMS cheer adviser, $912; Jim Heckler, junior varsity boys soccer coach, $1,459; Courtney Simpkins, junior varsity volleyball coach, $2,006; Megan Mummey, freshman/varsity assistant volleyball coach, $1,459; Megan Hayzlett, seventh-grade volleyball coach, $1,459; and Ashley Doak, eighth-grade volleyball coach, $1,824.
• Agreed there was no need to hold a workshop meeting on Sept. 6.
• Approved the bus stops for the 2016-17 school year. The transportation coordinator reserves the right to revise the bus stops during the school year as necessary.
The board’s next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the board of education office.
