CAMDEN — The Preble Shawnee Board of Education recognized students, announced the resignation of one of its members, and approved a resolution to enter the recently-formed Western Ohio Athletic Conference at its monthly meeting Thursday night.
As reported by The Register-Herald in March, Preble Shawnee previously announced its intention to leave the current athletic organization, the Southwestern Buckeye League, while National Trail, Tri-County North and Twin Valley South Schools announced similar plans to leave the Cross County Conference. While Shawnee is set to leave its current league at the end of the 2019-20 school year, some schools may have to wait until 2021.
Board members approved the resolution unanimously during the Superintendent’s Report portion of Thursday’s meeting. They also passed resolutions authorizing 75 graduating seniors of the Class of 2019 to be issued diplomas; approving a College Credit Plus articulation agreement between the district and the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima; and approving a $.10 increase to breakfast and lunch prices, which will affect students who do not qualify for a free or reduced lunch.
Superintendent Matt Bishop explained to the board, because the school district receives federal funds to subsidize meals for its neediest students, the body granting those funds “strongly recommends” they increase their prices periodically.
The resignation of board member Bill Crawford, effective May 9, was announced following an executive session near the end of Thursday’s meeting. Crawford will be leaving the school district to pursue a career opportunity in Cleveland. An election to fill Crawford’s post will be held in November, while any new board member appointed in the meantime will serve out the remainder of Crawford’s two-year term, which ends in January.
High school cheerleaders Elexia Vonderhaar, Maddie Powers, Rylee Jewell, Summer Hacker, Kylie Gadd, and Paige Brandner were recognized by the board and issued certificates of achievement. Other team members were similarly recognized, but were unable to attend the meeting due to previous commitments.
“I want to thank the board for recognizing us: this is the first time that’s happened since I’ve been coach,” cheerleading coach Jenny Foxbower said. “These last couple years we’ve definitely been making strides.”
Two 2019 American FFA Degree recipients, Sarah Kurtz and Leslie Burger, were also recognized and given certificates. The degree is one of the organization’s highest honors, and is awarded each year at the National FFA Convention and Expo.
Student senate member Jane Feck reported the results of a meeting between the senate and Superintendent Bishop, at which rules regarding dress codes and cell phone usage were discussed. Feck seemed to feel that more stable rules need to be adopted, as teachers are inconsistent in how they enforce the existing ones.
“That was one of our more talkative meetings,” Bishop said. “A lot of opinions were shared.”
Feck, who is graduating this month, thanked the board for allowing her to participate.
“It’s definitely made me a better leader and public speaker,” she said.
The next meeting of the Preble Shawnee Board of Education will be held Thursday, June 13.
