Senate bill would change state ed

ST. MARYS- Superintendent Bill Ruane voiced concerns over a bill that would significantly change oversight of the Ohio Department of Education and the State School Board at Wednesday night's St. Marys school board meeting.

Under Senate Bill 178, oversight of the state's education department would shift to a director appointed by the governor instead of the State Board of Education and the superintendent it elects.

The bill would also rename the Ohio Department of Education as the Department of Education and Workforce and transfer many of the state school board's powers to the department's new director.

"The superintendents of this area kind of opposed it because we said it just needs to be thought out, because there are going be implications that if you try to ram something through within two weeks and you haven't thought about everything," Ruane said. "There are going to be things you haven't thought of."

Teachers unions and advocacy groups have voiced concern over how quickly the legislation, first introduced on Nov. 15, is moving during the final days of the current legislative session. They say there hasn't been enough time for educators and other stakeholders to have input on such a drastic change.

Ruane said he wants local control taken into consideration to ensure the community has a voice.

"We told them, 'slow down, don't rush it through (the) lame duck (session).' It sounds like they are rushing it through (the) lame duck (session)," he said. "The last couple of days have been frantic down there."

In other business, Ruane said discussions about released-time religious classes are ongoing between school administrators and religious institutions.

Ruane said officials have been in discussions with Kingdom Harvest Ministries of Celina and Lifewise Academy of VanWert about the feasibility of offering released-time religious classes.

Students taking released time are taught Christian-based lessons taught by volunteers during the school day. Ruane is also reaching out to other religious institutions in the community for input.

"Schools just have to have a policy in place, then parents are allowed at certain times to take students to a different location," he said.

The eighth grade football team was recognized for an undefeated season at the start of the board meeting. Board members also recognized the passing of Jack Hansbrough, a former St. Marys City Schools teacher.

Board members also

• accepted resignations from paraprofessional Kelsey Gaier, bus aide and dining aide Deb Koenig, and junior varsity softball coach Mark Schamp.

• heard head boys soccer Josh Hertenstein's contract was not renewed.

• approved the hiring of several substitute teachers among other staff.

• transferred a $2,887.35 fund balance designated for the Aspire GED program to Apollo Career Center.

• approved a memorandum of understanding updating health care contributions for bus drivers. Similar language from the teachers' union is expected soon.

• approved the purchase of a $45,093.09 plasma cutter for Tri Star's welding program. The funds for the purchase were already donated to Tri Star.

• accepted $150 in donations from Varsity Lanes, $100 from Pantry Pride, $200 from American Manufacturing Solutions and $150 from TLC to the DECA Sleighing Through the School event and $440 from Freedom Marketing Strategies.

• approved the following stipends: Kerri Sharpin, $500, Making Middle Grades Work grant; Toby Hertenstein, $1,200, career technical education; Eric Mielke, $350 stipend per season for two seasons as E-Sports advisor; Laura Koenig, $500, completion of a professional development program related to reading instruction.

• approved a speech pathology contract with Minster Local Schools.

• approved Ron Wilker as president pro-temp for their upcoming Jan. 11 organizational meeting.

• met in executive session to discuss personnel employment. No action was anticipated after the session.

The board of education meets next at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 in the high school/middle school auditorium.

- The Associated Press contributed to this story.