ARCANUM — An Arcanum-Butler School Board of Education Meeting kicked off a little differently, Thursday, April 13.
Some of Arcanum-Butler’s first grade students were led by Music Teacher Becky Hootman at the Board of Education Meeting, April 13. Students Landry Rhodehamel, Haddasah Hatfield, Brynn Byers, Mason Kendig and Addie Macy demonstrated some of the rhythms they have been working on in music class. They also broke board members and Supt. John Stephens into groups of two, to teach a song, using Boomwhackers. Boomwhackers are tuned plastic percussion tubes played by striking almost anything: a table, the floor, legs, hands or shoes.
In other news, a public hearing took place to provide input to the board on the issue of Todd Gruell’s reemployment as a middle school social studies teacher and Diane Bowman’s reemployment as an elementary teacher with the the Arcanum-Butler School District, following their retirement. No public comment was presented.
In Treasurer Matt Huffman’s Report, he revealed the school’s Real Estate property tax has increased about $29,000 for the year. Huffman attributed the majority of the increase to a Delinquent Real Property tax increase of about $9,000 and an increase in Personal Property Utility tax of about $17,000.
In the principal reports, High School Principal Jason Stephan said the school’s first Arcanum – Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) FFA banquet took place Sunday, March 26. He thanked all involved and congratulated the 2017 Arcanum MVCTC Honorary Chapter Degree Recipient Supt. Stephens.
“It means a little bit extra when I am a graduate, in front of the community and seeing how beneficial the things are that they are doing for our kids,” Stephens said. “It was a very cool night.”
Stephan and his team are gearing up for the fifth annual Serve Arcanum to take place May 5, when students work on projects in the community.
“At our last count we had at least 40 opportunities to serve our community,” he said. “We are looking forward to that.”
Middle School Principal Marcus Bixler said the school did something new this year. The third-quarter assembly featured a challenge between the staff and the students with the staff prevailing. The events included fifth-grade, an obstacle course; sixth grade, kick ball and the seventh and eighth-graders played volleyball. Although the staff one, each student received two cookies each, made by school employees.
“It was a fun event for the students to see the staff in a different light,” Bixler said.
Elementary School Principal Jason Clark has been involved with Kindergarten Registration for next year.
“We have a good crop of kids coming in, with about 77 screened so far,” he said.
Also, according to Clark, the school’s Jump rope for the Heart event brought in $10,000 for the American Heart Association. He said it is the most money he has witnessed raised for the charity in his career.
“It is really an attest to our community and their feelings to give back,” Clark said.
He also complimented the performance, presented to the students, of Los Angeles-based pianist/composer Jason Farnham presented by the Darke County Center for the Arts.
The board approved the following financial considerations: to enter into a one-year contract with Edgenuity, Inc., for on-line curriculum in Arcanum Virtual Academy (AVA), at $275 per course; the proposed Title I Tutor Job Description and Pay Schedule; the Fiscal Year 2018 service contracts with META Solutions, for $24,539; the Middle School Summer School proposal; D.A. Robers & Associates, Inc., floor maintenance, for $4,350; D.A. Robers & Associates, Inc. to sand the Fieldhouse gym floor smooth and clean, paint lines and logos and apply three coats of polyurethane for $11,200.
The board also approved the following personnel considerations: acceptance of the resignations for retirement purposes of Bus Drivers Marsha Ditmer and Roberta Pike; the resignation of Adult Education Learning Center Aide Brenda Burns; a one-year certified contract for Jason Schondelmyer to teach Elementary Physical Education, for 2017/18 school year and a list of supplemental contracts for the 2017/18 school year.
After receiving feedback, Supt. Stephens said the district was extending the One-to-One Program to grades fifth – eighth for next year.
“We were all pretty impressed with what the fifth-graders were doing,” he said.
