Range OKs updated emergency plan
BEAVER TOWNSHIP — The South Range school board this week approved an updated plan for emergencies.
The board approved the Emergency Operations Plan 2020 as required by Ohio Homeland Security and the Ohio Department of Education. Schools Superintendent Dennis Dunham said the plan is for four years and provides a planned response for natural disasters, technological emergencies and biological incidents.
Dunham said the plan has been coordinated with local first responders and all personnel and staff members must be trained in its use.
“We do have things in place for when things might go in an opposite direction unfortunately,” Dunham ensured the board and community members.
In other business, the board approved statewide open enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year, with applications to be accepted between March 2 and April 3, that will allow open enrollment in grades not at capacity.
Board member Taylor Christian questioned whether the district transports open enrollment students and if buses travel outside the district to transport open enrollment students. Dunham said the district transports some of the open enrollment students who are in close proximity for a turnaround and buses will travel approximately a quarter to a half mile out of the district for a safe turnaround.
Christian also asked is open enrollment students have to apply each year and whether a student application can be denied. Dunham said open enrollment students must apply each year and applications can be denied based on attendance, academic performance and behavior.
The board also approved the high school curriculum guide for the 2020-2021 school year including tentative use of new graduation seals, both state and local, from the Ohio Department of Education that will provide an alternative path to graduation for current sophomores and juniors from the end of course exams. The seals will be addressed in board policy revisions in March or April, Dunham said.
Additionally the board granted permission for the high school speech and debate team to travel to Wooster March 5 to 7 to participate in the Ohio Speech and Debate State Tournament. Students will be transported by school authorized transportation with chaperones and advisors supervising students at all times.
The board also granted permission for the high school band to travel to Chicago March 12 to 14, 2021 to perform at the 2021 Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band will also attend several educational museums and enjoy the historic downtown. The trip will be chaperoned and transportation provided by a licensed motor coach company.
Also at the meeting, the board modified the “Power of the Pen” supplemental contract for Deborah Staffeld for the 2019-2020 school year for assuming the responsibilities of remaining contract of the previous advisor at $435.12 and approved Angela Rosen as the “Fuel Education Teacher” for the 2019-2020 school year based on a memorandum of understanding with the South Range Education Association providing compensation of $100 per student per semester due to added responsibilities to the online curriculum.
The board also approved for the 2019-2020 school year supplemental contracts to Jodine Pilmer for musical director and Gianna Marinucci for assistant softball coach; Donee Feren as an unpaid volunteer varsity softball coach; and Ed Schaefer Jr. for snow plowing services.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 16 in the K-12 campus auditorium.
khowell@salemnews.net
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