SIDNEY – Student testing and related state policies topped the Fairlawn Local School Board of Education meeting recently. Several teaching contracts were also approved for next school year.
Superintendent Jeff Hobbs reported testimony began last week with legislators in Columbus regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act, that regulates a student’s academic progress, and teacher evaluations.
Hobbs said he and many fellow superintendents are pushing for more local control as per federal guidelines. Ohio’s rules call for more student testing and teacher evaluation than at the federal guidelines, he said.
High School Principal Rebekka Egbert reported the 2018 graduating class still has six students who need to pass the End of Course exams to be on track to graduate. Remediation plans and procedures to provide opportunities for students to pass were discussed.
Elementary Principal John Stekli said students are making good progress in the Third-Grade Reading Guarantee requirements.
Hobbs reported contracts were approved for next school year. The new pacts take effect Aug. 1.
Two-year contracts were offered to Karen McRill, Special Education coordinator; Johanna Petters, elementary school teacher; Dustin Woods, grades 5-6 teacher; Luciano Tacuri, Spanish; and April Sommer, K-3 Intervention Specialist.
Three-year agreements were offered to Jolynn Colebaugh, art; Britnie Middleton, grades 4-5 teacher; Danielle Monnier, high school science; Elizabeth Maxson, high school language arts; Tracy Eilerman, grades 2-3 teacher; Richard Inman, grades 2-3 teacher; and Kimberly Swartz, librarian.
The board also approved two-year contracts with Amy Jones, Stevie Smith, Mira Stratton and Debra Cummons-Parker as classroom aides.
In other business, the board:
• Awarded a continuing contract with Betty Scott as custodian.
• Accepted the retirement resignation of Mary Watercutter as a teacher effective at the end of the current school year.
• Accepted the retirement resignations of Shelly Mann as drama director, and Robert Michael Kelly as part-time custodian, both effective May 24.
• Agreed to hire Andrew Arnett, Chad Keith, Jessica Nichols and Sara Pennington as substitute teachers at a rate of $80 per day.
