Public hearing for reading funds, School Resource Officer, and summer maintenance

On Monday, July 18, the Bluffton Board of Education met with the attached agenda, including the approval of contracts, assignments, resignations, etc. and a public hearing for IDEA and Title I funds.

PUBLIC HEARING
Elementary School Principal Ben Thiel explained that the federal IDEA (Individual with Disabilities Education Act) funds are used for reading intervention in the elementary school, serving 20-30 students per year based on need.

Title 1 funds have been used for the Star Reading product and DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) testing. In the new school year, the elementary will be transitioning to the i-Ready program, which features small group instruction in the classroom. Teachers attended meetings last year to prepare for making the switch.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
In July principals are excused from making reports.

Superintendent Greg Denecker reported that he has been having discussions with Police Chief Ryan Burkholder about adding School Resource Officer time at the schools.

He reported that several lifts have been used at the high school, for tuckpointing, sealing brick, and sealing on windows. Other summer maintenance work includes Harmon field and restrooms, and an overhaul of the high school kitchen. All classrooms on the second floor of the middle school were painted and the tennis courts have been resurfaced by Bluffton Paving.

Denecker also noted that he has been meeting with a University of Findlay faculty member about partnering with a high school in Japan.

The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.