Random drug tests questioned in Minster

MINSTER - School board members during their Monday meeting hired Covington High School Principal Josh Meyer as the district's next superintendent under a two-year contract.

Superintendent Brenda Boeke in her report said Meyer's annual salary will be $103,000 and his contract becomes effective Aug. 1. Boeke retires July 31.

Board members also approved five extended days for Meyer to use in June and July, according to Boeke's report.

Boeke has served as superintendent since 2011 and has worked at the district for 25 years. The search for a new superintendent began in mid-April.

In other business, a handful of school district residents attended the meeting to express concern over the district's new random drug testing policy for students who participate in school clubs and activities, according to the report. The policy was approved at the April school board meeting. Residents attending were Chris Niekamp, John and Beth Winner, Steve Harmeyer and Kelli Gehret, according to Boeke's report.

Under the policy, all students in clubs and activities, including band, would automatically be subject to random drug testing.

Boeke had said the policy would serve a preventative role in helping students "say no" to drugs and also would provide "intervention in a confidential way" if a student tests positive.

A number of area school districts, including Celina City Schools, New Bremen Local Schools and Marion Local Schools have similar drug testing policies.

Parents whose children are not in clubs or other activities could opt-in their kids to the testing, Boeke had said. There is no option to opt-out, and the testing would be completely random. Staff and administrators would not be subject to the policy, Boeke had said.

The policy would not be disciplinary, Boeke had said. If a student tests positive for drugs, the student would go through an educational program on the dangers of drugs. If a student tests positive multiple times, they could face disciplinary action, she had said.

Great Lakes Biomedical, which Boeke had said works with the other area school districts, would conduct the testing using a urine sample.

The tests would be paid for using student wellness funds, which are state funds specifically earmarked for student wellness activities.

A meeting with Great Lakes Biomedical is scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday in the elementary large group meeting room for parents and community members to ask questions.

Board members reportedly agreed better notification about the policy could have happened, and they expressed interest in hearing what the public thinks after the meeting with Great Lakes Biomedical on Thursday, according to Boeke's report.

In addition, board members approved the district's revised five-year financial forecast, which predicts the district will be in deficit spending beginning next year.

According to Boeke's report, district treasurer Laura Klosterman said there have been some changes since November's forecast, including increased revenue as a result of property tax and state funding increasing; lower expenses as a result of health insurance increasing by only 3.5% instead of the projected 8%; and a Chromebook grant offsetting the purchase of Chromebooks the next five years.

Additionally, two new positions - a guidance counselor and facility manager - will be paid for using federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding for two years, according to the report.

However, Klosterman said the district is projected to be in deficit spending beginning in 2023 with the deficit increasing through 2026, the report reads. No further information was provided in the report.

Board members also,

• discussed personnel employment and compensation in a 30-minute executive action, after which no action was taken.

• approved a three-year contract to Laura Klosterman, district treasurer, effective Aug. 1, 2022.

• approved a three-year contract to Leanne Keller, K-6 principal, effective aug. 1, 2022.

• approved a three-year contract to Alicia Everman, district psychologist, effective Aug. 1, 2022.

• accepted the resignation of Josh Clune as student support services director and approved a one-year contract for Clune as athletic director/assistant principal.

• accepted the resignations of teachers Megan DeMange and Alexis Blum effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

• accepted the resignation of custodian Stefanie Hall effective May 6, 2022.

• approved several continuing contracts, limited three-year contracts and limited one-year contracts to certified staff.

• approved several limited contracts to classified staff.

• approved several one-year limited contracts to students for the summer of 2022 and substitutes.

• approved membership in the West Central Ohio Assistive Technology Center Consortium.

• approved a resolution authorizing membership in Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The next regular school board meeting is 7 p.m. June 20 in the elementary large group meeting room.