LEWISBURG — Dr. Nick Weldy, Superintendent at Miami Valley Career Technology Center, visited the Tri-County North Board of Education meeting on Monday, Feb. 27, to share CTC student data and speak about the school’s upcoming bond initiative.
First, Weldy spoke a bit about the students that MVCTC and Tri-County North co-educate. He shared, North has one of the highest attendance rates from all the schools in MVCTC’s district. Six percent of the students from Tri-County North who attend MVCTC have disabilities and 16 percent are economically disadvantaged, he said.
The three program groups the majority of the students go into include environmental services, construction technologies, and manufacturing technologies.
As for the bond initiative, on May 2, MVCTC will be seeking voter support from its 27 school districts for a remodel, rebuild, and expansion of the current facilities. The state will fund 47 percent, because this is a remodel and not an expansion. This bond issue will improve safety for students, update the buildings that are almost 50 years old, provide state of the art labs and equipment, and allow more students to attend the school, according to Weldy.
MVCTC helps 200 to 300 students a year, but they have had to turn away students due to the state of the buildings, he reported.
TCN K-5 Principal Joe Finkbine shared that the elementary school hosted an Under the Sea program for TCNES Family Fun Night. As a part of the Passport to Discovery theme, students have been exploring different parts of the world. Students and their families were invited to the school to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss by meeting sharks and penguins on Thursday, March 2.
The Newport Aquarium even brought stingrays to the school on Feb. 28.
TCN 6-12 Principal Joe Hoelzle shared that the high school recently had its own program. On Thursday, Feb. 16, a Taste of TCN was hosted. This was an alternative to school conferences, intended to get students and parents alike into the building. The event featured a mini art show and a mini band concert.
In other business:
It was reported eachers have been working on the course description book. Some teachers are considering changing the courses offered. For example, an art teacher is discussing the merits of have Art 1 be a prerequisite and then offering themed classes. The goal is to teach what students want to be taking and to make the classes more engaging.
It was noted, President of the TCN Board of Education Gene Moyer celebrates his 20th consecutive year on the board on March 15.
For this school year, Tri-County North has only used one calamity day, but has had four two-hour delays.
The Educational Purchasing Council (EPC) is taking bids for vans, and Superintendent William Derringer supports Tri-County North purchasing one. He shared, while they have a van, it is not safe for staff and students. They are also discussing bids on pick up trucks.
The Board of Education accepted the following donations:
•A trumpet, valued at $500, from Lisa Boggs.
•AED (Powerheart G5 Fully Auto Dual Language Quick Response Package), valued at $1,395, from Reid Hospital.
•Various office supplies, valued at $150, from Kay Morrella.
The next TCN Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Tri-County North’s lecture room.
