Bureau Valley School Board 1-19
MANLIUS — The Bureau Valley School Board took action on the following items at its meeting Jan. 19:
• Recognized BV North art teacher Susan Berry, who received her national board certification in November. Berry explained the 18-month process she went through to achieve the designation. “It was a very beneficial process,” she said. “I learned a lot, and it made me a better teacher.” The national certification requires work including a portfolio, writing skills and assessments in the teacher’s subject area.
• Designated Make Patterson and Mary Jo Nelson as authorized signatories on the high school activity account for People's National Bank.
• Approved Wayne Bailey as freshman/sophomore baseball coach and Jeff Ohlson as high school assistant track coach.
• Heard Superintendent Terry Gutshall recommend all board members attend seminars to become familiar with the new FOIA regulations and the Open Meetings Act.
• Heard from high school principal Mike Patterson about a change to the bell schedule, which would provide a 15-minute homeroom every morning and then a 30-minute study hall in the afternoon. Patterson said the extra time would be created by shaving a minute or two off lunch and passing times. The study hall period will be used for the district’s Response to Intervention program for struggling students, among other things.
• Heard there is a potential tuition increase coming for students who attend the Whiteside Area Career Center.
• Discussed setting high school graduation for May 23 instead of its tradition time of Memorial Day weekend. Gutshall said if no more snow days are used, the seniors could be out of school on May 18, which would be two weeks before the traditional graduation date.
• Set a special board meeting for 6 p.m. Feb. 8 for the board to meet with Regional Superintendent of Schools Bruce Dennison on the superintendent search. Resumes for the position are due Feb. 1.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. The meeting will be held on Tuesday because of the Presidents Day holiday.
