Keeping students safe was among the issues OVSD school board members addressed in their Feb. 11 meeting.

The board voted to hire Don Rabold of the Brown County Education Service Center (BCESC) as a security consultant.

Ohio’s Education Service Centers work with school districts to increase student achievement and improve the educational system.

Rabold, a retired law enforcement officer who has served with the Ohio Sheriff’s Patrol and the Ohio State Patrol, has been with the ESC since 2004. He is a certified trainer of the ALICE project (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) the nationally renowned training course that teaches the steps students and employees should take if an assailant enters a building or a classroom.

Board member Judy Campbell said, “The safety of our students and the security of our facilities is of utmost importance to the leadership of the Adams County Ohio Valley District. Don Rabold brings with him a wealth of experience in this area. Last school year he aided our district in tightening up security and this year he will be doing professional development with the staff on preparedness in case of issues including review and practice of safety drills.”

The board approved emergency management plans for the district’s administrative office, high schools, elementary schools, and Career and Technical Center. The plans cover a variety of emergency protocols designed to keep students, employees, and visitors safe, including evacuating buildings (fire drills), taking shelter from severe weather, and lock-downs in the event of violent threats.

In addition to addressing safety issues, the board also took action to resolve some of the district’s education, infrastructure, and transportation needs.

The North Adams Elementary waiver application, which enables the school to meet student’s needs, was approved.

Track & Field athletes at North Adams and Peebles high schools will be running on new tracks following the board’s decision to accept bids to replace the old ones, which over the years have degraded from normal wear and tear.

The board also voted unanimously to purchase four-81 passenger buses, and one-65 passenger bus.

Extended field trips approved by the board included: CTC students to Columbus for SkillsUSA on Feb. 20 and Feb. 27; Peebles Elementary to Woodland Altars on May 12-13; WUHS Beta Club to Columbus, Ohio on March 30-31; WUHS Boys Varsity Soccer to Ohio Northern University on Feb. 27-28; and the WUHS Varsity Cheerleaders to Parkersburg, West Va. on May 25-27.

Several changes in staffing were approved by the board.

Certified substitutes hired for the 2015-16 school year were Robert Chandler, Michala Day, Mary Johnson, Ciera Seaman, and Pamela Wallingford.

Classified substitutes hired were Rachel Barrick and Kimberly Moss.

Resignations were accepted from Carly Bryant, Speech and Language Pathologist, effective June 1, 2016, Andrew Frowine, Substitute Teacher, effective Feb. 1, 2016, Donald Rahe, Substitute Teacher, effective Jan. 25, 2016, and Ciera Seaman, Substitute Teacher, effective Feb. 8, 2016.

Supplemental contracts approved for the 2015-16 school year included: Joseph Kramer, Varsity Baseball Coach WUHS,Dawson Little, Jr. Varsity Baseball Coach WUHS; Jason Little, .5 High School Track Coach WUHS; Scott Lovett, Varsity Baseball Coach PHS; M. Douglas McFarland, Varsity Softball Coach PHS; P. Dayne Puckett, Volunteer Assistant Boys Basketball Coach PHS; Ty Stephens, Jr. Varsity Baseball Coach PHS; and Tyler Wilson, High School Track Coach PHS.

The board entered Executive Session to discuss the compensation of a public employee or official.

Members of the Ohio Valley School District met at the CTC in West Union
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_ACOVSDboard.jpgMembers of the Ohio Valley School District met at the CTC in West Union
Members take action to ensure student safety

By Patricia Beech

pbeech@civitasmedia.com

Reach Patricia Beech at 937-544-2391 or at pbeech@civitasmedia.com