Bluffton's school board reorganized for 2010 on Jan. 11. In so doing, the board set in motion the placement of the a three-year permanent improvement levy renewal to go on the May 4 ballot.

In other significant action, the board requested that the Ohio Department of Education delay implanting an all-day everyday kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year.

Students and parents wanting to know the latest information on school delays and cancellations will be happy to know that the board approved joining Rhino Alerts. Persons who sign into the site will have text messages or e-mail messages inform them of delays and cancellations and of other emergency information involving the school.

Superintendent Greg Denecker addresses the levy and the kindergarten issue in a column elsewhere on this page.

The board accepted the resignation of Steve Simon, effective at the end of the school year. He will retire after 27 years in the Bluffton school system.

Denecker said that the service is free. As of Tuesday, Jan. 12, he said that 53 persons had signed up for the service.

Certified teacher advancements okayed involve Julia Hieronimus (MA to MA+15), and Andrew Armstrong (BA to BA+15). Ashleigh Roberts, Ohio Northern University student, was granted approval to student teacher this spring (March 8 to May 21) with Susie Gratz and Wendell Miller.

School board reorganization

Jeremy Scoles was named president of the school board for 2010. He replaces Kay Miller, who served as board president in 2009. Renee Smith was named vice president.

The board set the following dates for its meetings in 2010. All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the Dec. 20 meeting, which starts at 8:30 p.m.:

Feb. 15

March 15

April 19

May 17

June 28

July 19

Aug. 16

Sept. 27

Oct. 18

Nov. 15

Dec. 20