The final rating evolves from a complicated scoring process, which was detailed by Debbie Baker, director of curriculum, instruction and technology and her staff members. Baker said her staff constantly uses the data to improve every aspect of education at Northmont.
Superintendent Doug Lantz unveiled a banner marking the district’s “Excellent with Distinction” rating and said a matching banner will be posted at each school. For a look at Northmont’s Report Card, as well as that of other districts, visit www.reportcard.ohio.gov.
The board also acknowledged an Award of Honor presented to Northmont by the Ohio High School Athletic Association in recognition of 17 years of service by Gene Klaus.
Klaus has held key offices and served on various committees for the Athletic Association. Klaus is currently human resources director for Northmont, and was previously Northmont High School principal. Klaus has worked for the Northmont District for 20 years.
“It’s been a great honor representing Northmont on the Athletic Association all these years,” said Klaus.
The board approved the tuition rate of $5,107.64 for the 2009-10 school year, an amount set by the state. Northmont no longer accepts tuition students, but Lantz said there are still a few tuition students who were in the program before it was discontinued.
The board also approved selling Phillipsburg Elementary’s contents and building at a public auction on Oct. 17.
Board president Linda Blum said the state is considering changing the ROTC program to make it strictly an elective course. Blum said this would make it a hardship for some students to participate.
Lantz said the ROTC program is truly the only no-cost activity at the high school.
Blum said a number of Northmont students have gained significant scholarship dollars from participating in ROTC.
“This appears to be an unintentional consequence by the state of putting more focus on foreign language courses,” said Blum, who asked board members to write letters opposing the proposed changes.
Student representative Hannah Espeleta reported that sixth-graders at OR Edgington recently finished a cornhole tournament using math formulas, science experiments, origins of games from different countries and writing assignments. Also, fifth-graders at Englewood Elementary are participating in Days of Taste presentations, working with volunteers and a chef on making healthy choices and understanding how food benefits the body. They will end by preparing their own lunch at Jay’s restaurant.
The board’s second meeting in September has been changed to Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Northwood Elementary School, 6500 Noranda Drive, at 7 p.m.
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