The regular meeting for the Continental School Board was held at 5:30 p.m. on December 18th, in the administrative office. The meeting was called to order by Board President Dean Bidlack, who opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hearing of the Public:
The following students are being recognized as September “Students of the Month”:
–Adalynn Freeman is a first-grade student at Continental Elementary School and the daughter of Val Freeman.
-Yuri Alvarez Martinez is a fifth-grade student at Continental Elementary School and the daughter of Angela Gonzales and Victor Alvarez.
-Ella Siefer is a junior at Continental High School and the daughter of Doug and Dawn Siefer.
Congratulations to the following students who were selected as October “Artists of the Month”:
–Mya Dirr is a third grade student at Continental and the daughter of Charlie and Elizabeth Dirr. Her artwork titled “Mya’s Magic Carpet Ride” is on display in the administrative office.
–Micalin Basinger is a freshman at Continental High School and the daughter of Calvin and Lindsay Basinger. Micalin’s artwork, titled “Teddy”, will be on display in the boardroom of the administrative office for the month of December.
Principal Reports:
Mrs. Tracy Potts, Elementary Principal, reported:
•The elementary students enjoyed buying Christmas gifts at the Candy Cane Lane Shop. The elementary staff and students would like to thank the P.O.P. for sponsoring Candy Cane Lane.
•Congratulations to the elementary staff and students for donating over $3254 to Christmas for Kids from their raffle basket sales, jeans day, Kiss the Cow, and kindergarten chores. Fort Jennings students also donated money as well. The funds raised helped buy Christmas gifts for over 100 students in Putnam County. Thank you to Mrs. Erin Schmidt for organizing the distribution of gifts.
•Third-grade reading guarantee results are in. 74% of our third-grade students passed the test.
•Upcoming events:
December 21-January 5 – No School
January 10 – End of Quarter
January 13 – 2nd Quarter Reward – Bluffton Theatre
January 20 – No School
Mr. Tim Eding, JH/HS Principal, reported:
•Semester Exams are today and tomorrow. After the Break, teachers will work on wrapping up the 1st semester and prepare to transition to the 2nd semester on January 13th.
•The JH/HS building collected over 1400 items through their food drive this week that will be donated to the Continental Food Pantry. Thank you to the students, parents, and staff for donating! NHS and Student Council members will be delivering the items to the food bank on Friday afternoon.
•Christmas Break is December 23 through January 3. Classes resume on Monday, January 6th.
•Right after break, Vantage will be meeting with our Seniors to discuss Adult Ed opportunities and meeting with our Sophomores to prepare for Sophomore visitation day.
•Mrs. McIntyre has arranged for the ASVAB test to be given at CHS on January 9.
•The last day of the 2nd quarter and 1st semester will be Friday, January 10th.
Treasurer’s Report:
The Board was updated on the District’s financial report, which included investments, cash reconciliation, and the Board spending plan.
The Board:
•approved the following donations:
- Thank You to the anonymous donors for a Drill Press to the Industrial Technology Department in honor of Charlie and Mike Bidlack. The donors felt the Bidlacks played an integral part of their early development with both their agricultural background and guiding experiences. The drill press will be used in the welding lab to help students with their projects and further their learning.
- $3,455.39 from the Continental American Legion Post 541 to Continental Local Schools for the gymnasium flag.
- $12,845.76 from the Irene Casteel Trust
- $2,619.63 from Blue and Gold Club for batting cages
- $85.00 from Blue and Gold Club for ball rack
•approved the following appropriation changes:
572 Title I Grant increase $27,752.52
584 Stronger Connections Grant increase $6,090.71
•approved to amend the Certificate of Estimated Resources as follows:
572 Title I Grant increase $27,752.52 ——-
584 Stronger Connections Grant increase $6,090.71 ——-
•set 2025 compensation for board members at $100 per meeting held locally, not to exceed 16 meetings, plus $100 for one county meeting per year.
•appointed Brian Donaldson as President Pro Tem for the January Organizational Meeting.
•approved the purchase of the following subscriptions:
•OSBA Annual Membership (Based upon ADM) – $5,506
•Briefcase (Electronic Subscription) – Free
•School Management News – $150.00
(Electronic Subscription)
Superintendent’s Report:
The board:
•heard the transportation report.
•heard about CHS Spanish Teacher Vanessa DaCorte being honored by the State of Ohio’s Latino Affairs Commission as a recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award.
•reviewed the 2025-2026 school calendar.
•Robin Etter gave the Vantage Career Center report.
The Board:
•approved the second reading on the following NEOLA policies:
0100 Definitions
0142.1 Oath
0151 Organizational Meeting
0152 Officers
0155 Committees
0163 Presiding Officer
0164 Notice of Meetings
0165 October 2024 New Board Meeting
0165.1 Regular Meetings
0165.2 Special Meetings
0166 Executive Session
0166 October 2024 New Agendas
0167.2 Use of Personal Communication Devices
0173 Board Officers
4120.08 Employment of Personnel for Co-Curricular/Extra-Curricular Activities
4121 Criminal History Record Check
5131 October 2024 Revised Student Transfers
5136 Personal Communication Devices
5136.01 Electronic Equipment
5200 Attendance
5500 Student Conduct
5780 Student/Parent Rights
6220 Budget Preparation
6320 Purchasing and Bidding
6460 Vendor Relations
7530.02 Staff Use of Personal Communication Devices
7540.03 Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety
7540.04 Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety
7540.09 October 2024 New Artificial Intelligence
8310 Public Records
9160 Public Attendance at School Events
1130 Conflict of Interest
3113 Conflict of Interest
4113 Conflict of Interest
6110 Grant Funds
6111 Internal Controls
6112 Cash Management of Grants
6114 Cost Principles-Spending Federal Funds
6325 UGG EDGAR Revisions-October 2024 Revised Procurement-Federal Grants/Funds
6550 Travel Payment & Reimbursement/Relocation Costs
7310 Disposition of Surplus Property
7450 Property Inventory
Personnel and Other Recommendations:
The Board:
•approved the December 2024 Putnam County Substitute Teacher list, provided by the Putnam County ESC.
•approved Domonique Hinkle as a substitute cafeteria worker pending proper certification, license, and background checks.
POINTS OF INFORMATION
•Upcoming Events
•There will be no school December 23-January 3 for Christmas break. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.
•Friday, January 10th is the end of the 2nd Quarter.
•Monday, January 20th, Martin Luther King Day-No School.
•Friday, January 31st will be the Homecoming Dance.
•Saturday, February 1st will be the Homecoming game vs Columbus Grove.
•Saturday, February 8, All A’s Night for students. We will recognize students who have earned this achievement at halftimes of the home JV and Varsity boys basketball game vs Montpelier.
• January Board meetings:
•The next board meeting will be held on January 8, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the administrative office. The meeting will begin with the 2025 Organizational Board Meeting and the Regular January Board meeting following. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
