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WINTERSVILLE -- Safety and staffing issues led the Indian Creek Board of Education meeting on Thursday, where an initiative with Jefferson County 911 and a one-time retention bonus for teachers were on the agenda.
During the regular session at Cross Creek Elementary in Wintersville, the board entered an agreement with SaferWatch to link district safety initiatives with the county 911 call center. Assistant Superintendent John Belt said county 911 Director Rob Herrington brought the program to school leaders and it was a more effective way for safety forces to respond to emergencies.
"It will allow all of the security cameras at every one of the school buildings to tie into 911," he explained. "If we have an incident, the 911 center can turn on our cameras to see where the intruder is and there is an app that teachers can download with a panic button for fires or emergencies. It immediately notifies 911 and geographically locates the cell phone."
Belt added that the Ohio Attorney General's office provided funding for enhanced communication between schools and law enforcement agencies and Indian Creek received a $20,000 grant to help defray costs for the program. The next step is to train administrators and the plan should be implemented during the next school year.
Superintendent T.C. Chappelear added that the initiative was a plus to promote a more secure learning environment.
"I think it's a great example of Jefferson County and the community coming together and increase safety for schools," Chappelear added.
The board also passed a resolution to approve a one-time payment retention bonus to eligible Indian Creek Education Association, Ohio Association of Public School Employees and administration and central office personnel using remaining funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan which were disbursed during the pandemic. Chappelear said each eligible employee would receive a $1,000 bonus.
"The purpose is to reward the staff who finish this year and come back the next year," he explained. "We also appreciate the work they've done through COVID."
In similar personnel matters, the board renewed contracts for administrators and staff. Three-year deals were all approved for Assistant Superintendent John Belt, Indian Creek Middle School Assistant Principal Scott Abercrombie, Hills Elementary Principal Makenzie Householder, Indian Creek High School Principal Louie Retton and ICHS Assistant Principal Keith Swearingen. Among the staff were continuing contracts for Matt Arlia, Lynda Linhart and Crystal Fluharty; three-year contracts for Bobbie Jo Agin, Kara Bryan, Bethany Davis, Patricia Peckins Nixon, Ashley Turnbull, Dave Kemp, Rachel Balzano, Steve Daley, Gary Ryan, Ryan Smith and Molly Wilson; two-year contracts for Megan Bolyog, Emilee Jackson, Carly Laughery, Jaime McCumbers, Robert Zinsmeister, Erin Moffat, Amber Scott, Tia Taglione and Curry Triplett; and one-year contracts for Brittany Cook, Danielle James, Doug Knight, Michelle McCreary Starkey, Courtney Gaston, Melissa Kernan, Brandy Layman and Aimee Simpson-Carroll. Additionally, a series of extra-duty supplemental and supplemental personal service contracts were approved for 2023-24 as well as summer learning aides, cooks, cashiers and teachers and other seasonal employment.