Chardon Schools Board of Education met Jan. 11 for the first time as a new five-member board. Board President Guy Wilson and members Karen Blankenship,…
Chardon Schools Board of Education met Jan. 11 for the first time as a new five-member board.
Board President Guy Wilson and members Karen Blankenship, Madelon Horvath and Paul Stefanko welcomed Sheldon Firem, the new member elected in November.
Firem thanked Superintendent Michael Hanlon for the support and training he has received.
At his recent state training, he felt more qualified than newly elected board members from other districts, noting that “some of them don’t even have their email addresses yet.”
As part of School Board Recognition Month, students from Maple Elementary, Chardon Middle School and Chardon High School gave presentations to show their appreciation for Chardon Schools.
Hannah Mean, a member of the Student Principal Advisory Council at the middle school, gathered quotes from her fellow students to share at the meeting because she is passionate about sharing “what CMS loves about Chardon Schools.”
“Chardon Schools has an extremely solid sense of community. They have high academic standards and push their students to success. They truly care about each and every student,” she read. “I love how there is a variety of groups that students can belong to. The students that love sports can be on a team or the people that like hosting events can be on student council.”
“I love that you can be free to express yourself,” she continued. “At Chardon, you don’t have to change your personality to fit in. There are all types of students here at Chardon that can’t wait to make new friends.”
“I love how everyone at Chardon pushes you to be the best version of yourself and there is a place for everyone to fit in whether it’s in classes, sports or clubs,” Hannah read. “I love the humor of the teachers and staff and how they connect with the students on a more personal level.”
Shortly after, Hanlon took the spotlight and noted the change in weather outside, joking “my Twitter activity has gone up with people encouraging me to close school.”
He delivered his superintendent’s report to the board. Among the items discussed were:
The board approved a resolution to participate in the Expedited Local Partnership Program through which the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will prepare a facilities and master plan recommendation at no charge to the district.
The district must approve a resolution they will use ELPP for any future construction, but they may opt out of using ELPP at any future date. The resolution was unanimously approved, with Stefanko saying that as the district pays nothing for the plans, “this just makes perfect sense.”
Personnel and Contract Compensation Contracts were approved, as well as updated EAP contracts and Business Associate Agreements with Aetna Life Insurance Co. and Aetna Behavioral Health LLC.
Approval of a memorandum of understanding with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the Ohio Science Fusion Program.
CMS Principal Doug Higham also presented the board with a proposed update to student schedules for the 2016-17 school year, which would add more instructional minutes to core classes, as well as add new electives to the curriculum.
A daily advisory period would allow social and life skills to be taught without pulling students from academic classes.
A parent forum will be heldat 6 p.m. Jan 27 to distribute course guides and discuss changes.
The Chardon Schools Foundation is holding its annual live auction March 5 on G-TV channels 20 and 22. Those interested in donating or bidding on items can visit www.csfauction.org. Donations will be accepted through February.
Chardon parent Melanie Scanlon told the board she would like to see all day, every day kindergarten become available at no cost to all students in the district, in place of the current paid program at Park Elementary?School.
She said her child, who is now in first grade at Munson, was fortunate to have the program, but she feels the cost should not prevent other students from having the advantage of a full-time curriculum.
The school board passed a resolution honoring former school board member David Fairbanks, whose term ended in January. Fairbanks served four years, including one as board president.
