Jun 23, 2014 4 min read

MAPLETOWN – The Southeastern Greene School Board approved its 2014-15 school year budget Monday without a tax increase. This marks at least 10 years the district held the line on taxes.

Board president Joe Spiker said it has operated without any educational cutbacks or a reduction in supplies in those ten years. The $10,650,320 budget includes a projected surplus that will be invested for future projects in the district.

Board member Leonard Barzanti noted there were two times in the last decade in which the district actually reduced taxes, and the number of years without an increase may be as many as 12.

District Superintendent William Henderson, whose pending resignation was accepted by the board Monday, said the district is in good shape both financially and educationally as he leaves to accept a position as superintendent of Frazier School District.

Henderson said it was “truly an honor and a privilege to serve” Southeastern Greene School District. His resignation was approved with an effective date of Aug. 4 or sooner as determined by the board.

The board recognized retiree Joy Born, a first grade teacher in the district with 35 years’ of service. Born said she began her career there in the gifted program and then moved on to teach home economics, third grade and, finally, first grade. It also acknowledged the retirement of custodian Barbara Grim.

Tenure was granted by the board for five teachers: Gabrielle Bokat, Thomas Fink, Wes Loring, April Masciarelli and Breanna Scears. Bokat, who worked as a special education teacher for three years in Southeastern Greene School District, was hired June 19 by Carmichaels Area School District for its special education department.

In other personnel related matters, the board approved a 12-week family medical leave for high school biology/chemistry teacher Sara London starting on or about Sept. 1. It accepted the resignation of English/language arts instructor Deborah Dugan, effective June 20, and added three professional substitutes to the list for the 2014-15 school year: Christine Spiker, Robin Emerson and Danielle Reed.

Continuing to address safety issues in the district, the board accepted a quote of $24,616.68 from Diagnostic Electronic Services to upgrade the existing camera system at Bobtown Elementary Center and install eight additional cameras. Funding for the project came from the Safe Schools Grant. Henderson noted two other grant funded projects taking place in the district. A WeatherBug station at the high school was made possible by a $29,000 Greene County Community Foundation grant, and an interactive educational lab at the elementary center by a $20,000 STEAM grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum and Grable foundations.

The board approved the use of the gymnasium, locker room and training room for the varsity boys’ basketball team and girls’ volleyball team for conditioning from June to August. A request by varsity girls’ volleyball coach Breanne Scears to hold an overnight volleyball camp was approved. However, the board did not approve the designation of the camp as “mandatory,” as requested by Scears, instead referring to attendance as “strongly suggested.”

Volunteer assistant coaches, Zachary Novak for volleyball and Jeff Rush for football ,were approved, pending receipt of proper clearances.

The board accepted the recommendation of the committee to hire John Johnston as the head 7th and 8th grade football coach for the 2014 season at a salary of $1,750. Robert Springer was approved as the varsity and elementary band director. Thomas Fink was approved for after-school bus duty at the Mapletown High School and Ellen Heagy for Bobtown Elementary.

A motion to approve the purchase of wrestling mats from EZ Flex Sports Mats for a total of $9350 passed by a vote of 8-1. Board member Gary Moser questioned if more than one bid was obtained for the purchase. District Business Manager Pat Richter pointed out any bid under $10,000 does not require multiple bids.

Other coaches who were hired by the board included head middle school wrestling coach Charles Vankirk, head varsity baseball coach Brian Lewandowsky and middle school boys’ varsity basketball coach Joshua Porterfield.

Before asking to recess the board meeting, Barzanti asked the board to consider a request he made in previous terms to go from paper board packets to electronic ones. Barzanti said there were board members in previous years who did not have email, making the suggestion moot. However, he said he believed this was no longer an issue. Barzanti noted the board would save roughly $600 in postage alone by Barzanti’s calculation. He said those who wanted printed documents could then choose which pages they wanted to print. Some of the board members said they prefer the printed documents and did not have access to a printer.

The board recessed the June meeting until 6 p.m. July 7 so it may reconvene to address multiple tabled agenda items. Its regularly scheduled July board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 28.