SIDNEY — Four Sidney High School students were honored for being named state champions in the American Legion Americanism and Government Test during Tuesday’s Sidney City Schools Board of Education meeting.
Superintendent John Scheu presented each of the students with a resolution recognizing their accomplishments. Honored were juniors Erin Ivey and Logan Johnson, sophomore Gabrielle Rice and senior Heidi Parker. Each student received an all-expense paid trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., for their accomplishments.
Americanism Chairman Chuck Craynon expressed his appreciation to the school district for their support of the program. Since 1970, 29 SHS students have been named state champions.
“The patriotism and respect for the veterans by the students has grown over the years,” said Craynon. “It is very appreciated by the veterans in the community.”
Craynon said some of the previous state winners from Sidney are now lawyers, in the medical field and teachers.
“These students are achievers,” he said.
Sidney High School government teacher Brett Bickel said he gives the students a study guide for the program and “they go from there.”
In other business, the board:
• Approved a purchased service agreement with the Social Communication Unit of the Miami County Educational Service Center for the remainder of the school year at a rate of $325 per day. The services are for an autistic student enrolled in the district.
• Accepted donations of $100 from Fran Dembski and $50 from Keith Helmlinger for the Board/Administration Scholarship Fund. Scheu said he expects two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating SHS seniors.
• Accepted the resignation due to retirement of Patsy Kerber, SHS MD aide, effective June 1.
• Accepted the resignations of Aloysius Shaw, substitute custodian and maintenance, and Danielle Boerger, Sidney Middle School cheer coach.
• Awarded a one-year limited contract to Lis Meiners and Travis Weldy as home instruction tutors at $24.43 per hour. Both are teachers at Sidney Alternative School.
• Awarded a supplemental contract to Deb Quillen as Title I/After-School program aide at $11.79 per hour.
• Awarded a one-year limited contract to Scott Cromes as a full-time bus driver at $16.24 per hour. Scheu said the district has a desperate need for bus drivers.
• Heard an update from board member Bob Smith on pending legislative bills in the Ohio House. One bill, he said, calls for the repeal of Common Core.
The board’s next meeting will be Monday, March 7, at 6 p.m. at the BOE office.
