TheNBXpress.com

NBLS School Board Meets for August

Posting Date: 08/22/2012

by Sue Miklovic

Welcome Sixth Grade Teacher
Nicole Lang

A traffic pattern CHANGE at Powell, parking issues being addressed at new high school, & New School Open House reminder shared at North Baltimore Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

The North Baltimore Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night at the North Baltimore Public Library. All board members were present, as well as Superintendent Marlene North, Treasurer Eve Baldwin, and Elementary Principal Pam VanMooy.

The Board accepted the resignation of sixth grade teacher Brooke Forsyth, effective August 10, 2012.

Immediately following that order of business, they approved a one year contract for new teacher Nicole Lang, to teach sixth grade. Nicole recently graduated from Bluffton University and said she is excited to meet the students and staff at Powell.

The Board approved the school bus routes, including a new pick up stop at the Board of Education office.

The Board was pleased to accept the proceeds from the auction of the Main Building contents. Over $27,000 will be deposited into the Permanent Improvement account and be earmarked for the completion of the Woodruff Sports Building project.

Mrs. North reported that it is already obvious that we are going to have “issues” with parking spaces at the new facility. “We hope to have 40 to 45 new parking spaces available by the time school starts next week”, she said. There are some spots already blacktopped, but not striped, that will be added, with help from the village. There also is some space near the bus parking area, at the rear of the building, which will be prepared and filled with crushed stone, with help from Casey’s. Total cost for these additional spaces is estimated to be less than $3000. “People will have to use good sense and not park on the new grass as we work hard to increase available parking” Mrs. North said.

Powell Co-Principal Mrs. VanMooy shared that the donated school supplies have arrived and will be distributed to the individual classrooms. “When I am out shopping and I see parents with their long list of needed supplies and frustrated faces, I just stand back with a big smile on my face, knowing that our parents don’t have to go through that.” She stated, “This donation is very much appreciated” Mrs VanMooy also reminded the Board that the traffic pattern for parents and busses at Powell has been dramatically changed. All busses will pick up and drop off on the Main Street driveway. Students being dropped off must use the Semi-Circle Driveway at the SOUTH end of the school. Each day after school begins, all entrance into the building must be through the main entrance, as all doors will be secured, and visitors have to be “buzzed in” (granted access).

The WEST Drive (Main Street) at Powell is now the BUS Driveway, only. Drop-offs will be in the South (Cherry Street)semi-circle drive.

Mrs. North reminded everyone of the Community Open House and ribbon cutting this Thursday at 5:00pm at 2012 Tiger Drive. “We are so close to having EVERYTHING in place” Mrs. North commented. The celebration is from 5:00 to 8:00pm.

Other news included:

Demolition of the former school will begin in about a week or so.

Back to School Open Houses will be Tuesday, August 28, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

First day of school is Wed, August 29

Building Dedication Day is Sunday, September 16^th at 2:00pm

The Board accepted several gifts to the district, many which were directly related to landscaping of the new school. Trees, both transplanted and new, plants, and a lot of donated physical labor were acknowledged and recognized. “The North Baltimore Garden Club, along with help from the Boy Scouts, have created a very lovely garden area that is located behind the high school wing. It was very hot when they were working on it, and we certainly do appreciate it”