Wellsville Board of Education

Monday - April 19: The Wellsville Board of Education met for their regular monthly meeting this past Monday evening. Present at the meeting was BOE President Ed Bauer, V.P. Tom Brophey, Board Members Karen Dash, Mike Cook and Bill Miller. Also present was Superintendent Rich Bereschik, Treasurer Coleen Wickham, Assistant Superintendent Lisa Ferguson, Darlene Allison & Betty Phillips of the Wellsville Teachers Assoc., Ed Swogger of OAPSE and five Seniors from Mr. Meek's Government Class.

For the Financial Report, Mrs. Wickham reported that for the month of March receipts were $785,225, expenditures were $565,123 leaving a balance of $2.05 million. Interest earned for the month was $4,383. Mrs. Wickham advised interest rates remain about the same - low.

For Legislative Update, Tom Brophey announced that in a recent newspaper article it was reported that more and more students are dependent on the free lunch program for at least one hot meal a day in today's economy. There is growing concern about what will happen during the summer months when schools are closed.

Mike Cook advised that enrollment for the CC Career & Technical Center is on the increase. Present enrollment is around 400 students not counting the satellite programs. The new program for veterinary tech is generating a lot of interest. Mr. Bereschik added that a joint study is currently underway for a conversion program to bring back students enrolled in cyber schools. It is a joint venture with other districts presently looking at a start up two years down the road.

Mrs. Allison reported that negotiations for the Teacher's Assoc. got underway Monday with the union and school exchanging packages of proposals for a new contract. Both sides are scheduled to meet again April 26.

For the Good News Report Mrs. Ferguson reported there were 73 Garfield students that earned B.U.G. (Bring Up Grades) Awards and 110 students attained "Honor Roll" for the third term. She also reported that there are 150 students participating in the breakfast program daily and out of 289 students 230 are participating in the lunch program. Ferguson thanked the cafeteria staff for all their hard work.

Mr. B reported that the Buildings & Grounds staff are busy getting everything gussied up for this week's prom and all the graduation ceremonies coming in May. A Senior Handbook has been prepared, approved and will be distributed to all Class of 2010 members. It lists a complete schedule of all events along with explanations, dress codes and instructions. This year will be the 134th WHS Commencement.

The speaker for this year's commencement will be Capt. Thomas Cook, USN. Captain Cook has served three tours in Iraq and is presently stationed at Fort Hood, TX. Cook is a WHS Alumni and is a brother of Board Member Mike Cook.

The Board approved the retroactive hiring of Christine Polen & Patricia Sines as short-hour paraprofessionals for the remainder of the school year. Both employees were hired between Board meetings. A list of chaperons for the Daw Middle School Washington, D.C. trip was approved. The school calendar for the 2010-2011 school year was also approved. Caitlin Bickar was added to the substitute teacher list for the remainder of the school year.

A code of ethics for Acceptable Coaching Practices was adopted. There was no incident to prompt this action. It was a policy that wasn't in place before that holds all coaches to the same code of standards that apply to teachers, principals, Athletic Directors and even to the Superintendent.

There were several motions pass to approve non-renewal of several different positions in the district. These actions are required by state law to be done by the conclusion of the school year. Most positions are renewed at the beginning of the new school year. These actions are not reflections on any of the effected personnel.

A list of one, two and three year teaching contracts was also approved for next school year. A motion to approve a resolution accepting amounts and rates as determined by the County Budget Commission & authorizing the tax levies of 38.65 mills was passed. A field trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo for WHS Work Study and Mrs. Bradshaw's Daw MIddle School students for May 14 was approved.

Resignations effective at the end of the school year was accepted for Middle School Principal Jim Brown and Beth Swogger as Senior Class Advisor. Mrs. Swogger will retain her teaching position. Mr. Bereschik stated he has worked with Mr. Brown for 36 years and he is a "consummate professional" in the field of education. Brown was coaxed out of retirement to help the district after the school year was underway to fill the vacated position of Middle School principal. Also accepted with regret and best wishes in retirement was the resignation of Bonnie Dourm. Dourm served as the Library Media/Social Studies teacher. She is retiring with 35 years of teaching experience with the last 26 in Wellsville.

In closing remarks Mrs. Dash expressed thanks to all volunteer school workers in honor of Public School Volunteer Week. She also congratulated Matt Gibbs & Shawntae Dillard for their track success at the Shadyside Relays recently. Mr. Miller & Mr. Bauer expressed thanks and congratulations to Jim Brown & Bonnie Dourm. Mr. Brophey said everyone already covered everything. Bauer recognized Brophey on his being awarded the Ohio School Board Achievement Award and congratulated him for being named a member to the OSBA Master Board. Brophey, pictured above with Mr. Bauer to his right, is one of 20 OSBA members statewide, out of 3,400, named to this Board. It is a once in a lifetime award that is not presented lightly. It is a reflection on his dedication and diligence for pursuing the best possible for Wellsville students. Congratulations and thanks Tom.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 P.M. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 10 at 6:30 in the Superintendent's office.

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