School board institutes video policy

ST. HENRY - Videotaping certain school events could be a violation of a new policy approved by board members Monday night.

Policy 9160 - a policy adopted by many local schools as well as those in several states - regulates public attendance and behavior at school events. Recently, an amendment was added to the policy to address possible liability involving the use of audio-visual devices to record copyrighted songs or productions.

"If you videotape a school program and it is copyrighted, you cannot rebroadcast it unless the school has a mechanical license," school superintendent Rod Moorman told the board.

The school does not have such a license, he said. Therefore, a warning concerning taping school events must be announced or posted at the school, he added.

The policy also stipulates that any person or organization seeking to film or videotape students or a school activity, which is not a public event, must obtain prior permission from the principal.

Recording devices also "cannot interfere with the conduct of the particular activity" or "impinge on the enjoyment of the event by other members of the audience," the policy states.

Policy 9160 is one of numerous policies created by NEOLA, a company that helps school districts in several states create procedural guidelines of operation.

Also on Monday, school principals discussed the response to a countywide tornado warning on Oct. 26.

"I've been here 30 years and we finally had to do it for real," high school principal Frank Griesdorn said. "I'd like to commend our kids and staff ... for being stuck away for 40 minutes ... it went well."

Elementary principal Sandy Stammen said she was about to give a school tour to a new family when the tornado sirens went off. The family was impressed with the school's reaction to what they thought was a "drill" and later found out was the real thing, Stammen said.

The visitors and students were ushered into safe rooms until the National Weather Service gave the OK to return to class.

High winds hit Mercer County that day but damage was minimal compared with the devastation in Cridersville in Auglaize County where a tornado touched down. More than $1 million dollars in damage has been reported in that village.

In other business, board members lauded appreciation for retiring assistant treasurer/personnel staff member Helen Uhlenhake, who has served the district for 30 years. Moorman honored her with a special St. Henry Redskin pin.

"She's been through four superintendents and two treasurers," Moorman said. "She's a remarkable lady with a lot of expertise. ... and we're going to miss her."

Uhlenhake thanked the board for an enjoyable experience.

"It's been quite a ride," she said.

In related business, the board approved the hiring of Sherri Ranly - one of 40 applicants - to replace Uhlenhake. Ranly worked for eight years at Tri Star and 14 years in the human resources department at CAPT in Celina. Moorman's secretary, Peg Lange, will become assistant treasurer.

The board also:

• Learned the school has approximately 200 fewer students enrolled this year than in 2000. Treasurer Glenn Miller noted the staff has decreased accordingly.

Moorman said next year's kindergarten class is expected to grow from about 64 to more than 100. The topic is slated for discussion at the Dec. 20 board meeting.

• Awarded pins and honors to two high school cross country athletes. Mitchell Schulze was named All-Ohio Athletic and Academic and Kevin Knapke was awarded the title of All-Ohio Academic.

• Learned the senior citizens' Christmas breakfast is Dec. 14.

• Approved the annual Chicago, Ill., trip for fifth-grade gifted students on May 5 and 6. The cost to each student is $320.

• Approved the annual contract with the Mercer County-Celina City Health Department for health services at $5 per student for a total of $3,770. The health department provides health screenings, immunizations, home visits, conferences and resources.

• Extended the deadline to Dec. 10 for open enrollment of health care plans for members of the St. Henry Education Association. Open enrollment month is November; however, officials were delayed in getting completed information to members.