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DILLONVALE -- Leaders of the the Buckeye Local School District discussed results from the recently released state report card.
During the regular school board session on Oct. 16, Superintendent Coy Sudvary reviewed numbers which showed the district receiving an overall score of 3 out of 5 on the results. In comparison with other local districts, Indian Creek gained the highest with a 3.5 while Buckeye Local tied with neighboring Martins Ferry Schools. The district's overall totals include 3 for achievement, 1 for progress, 4 for gap closing and a 3 for graduation rate and early literacy.
A breakdown of district schools indicated that Buckeye North Elementary led in achievement with a score of 4, followed by South and West Elementary and Buckeye Local Jr. High Schools each with a 3 and Buckeye Local High School with 2. BLJHS, North and South also yielded a 3 for progress, followed by Buckeye West with 2 and BLHS with 1. North topped the gap closing category with a 5, followed by South and West with 4 and the junior and senior high schools at 3 apiece. BLHS earned a 3 for graduation rate while North and West each earned a 3 and South a 2 for early literacy. North achieved an overall score of 4 while BLJHS, South and West each received a 3.5. The high school yielded a 2.5 but Sudvary said some more figures were awaited.
"A lot of (the high school's score) is due to progress indicators based on value added. For the most part, we should be proud and happy for how everyone's done on the report card. We will work to get low areas increased," he said. "Congratulations to the teachers, students, administrators and parents for their hard work."
Meanwhile, the Ohio Supreme Court's Off-Site Court program topped talks as it heads to Buckeye Local High School on Wednesday. Local students and the public will hear three appellate cases on the court docket starting around 8 a.m. and the building will be placed on lockdown with tight security, so attendants are advised to enter at the athletic wing.
"It should be an exciting event," said Sudvary. "It's great PR for the district and a great opportunity to learn about the judicial system."
Under personnel matters, the board passed a resolution to establish substitute wages effective Oct. 16. They include $100 per day for non-degree substitute teachers, $115 per day for degreed teachers and $125 per day for retired teachers as well as $15 per hour for bus drivers and $12 per hour for aides, cooks, custodians and secretaries under the classified substitute category. Leaders also approved the re-employments of Karen Barcus and Cheryl DeYarmon as long-term substitute teachers, as well as new substitutes Brandy Becker as cook, Paula Brown and Rachel Hoagland as educational aides and Holly Daugherty and Mary Kircher as cooks, educational aides and secretaries.
Officials also approved the retirement of West Elementary teacher Louis O'Bradovich effective May 31, and West Elementary Principal Brian DiCola, and the board commended him for his years of service. In similar matters, the board accepted the resignations of Stevie Roberts as eighth-grade boys' basketball coach and JoEllen Roshack as custodian, and employed custodian Larry Strupe and cook Angela Taylor on a six-month probationary period effective Oct. 2. Pupil activity contracts were then given to Stevie Roberts, assistant boys' basketball coach at BLHS; Zach Fluharty, eighth-grade boys' basketball coach at BLJHS; Trevor Zanes, seventh-grade boys' basketball coach at BLJHS; Jeff Fluharty, volunteer boys' basketball coach at BLJHS; Shain Nickerson, eighth-grade wrestling coach, BLJHS; and Jim Morelli, seventh-grade wrestling coach at BLJHS.
Among other action:
• The board recognized Alpha Delta Kappa Month honoring outstanding women educators;
• District Maintenance Director Tony Panepucci outlined projects, saying there was heating in the bus garage, the sewer plant upgrade at the high school which should be finished soon and he was awaiting quotes on bleachers in the high school gym. More quotes were sought to re-sod the football field. Panepucci added that he met with South Elementary about procedures and will meet with the remaining schools under his safety report;
• District Treasurer Merri Matthews said new carpet would be added to the district office to replace the current 20-year-old covering, plus a walkthrough was planned for the high school HVAC project at 3 p.m. Wednesday, with bids being taken until Nov. 3;
• Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers Association President Gen Varkony said she has been conducting a listening tour to obtain feedback from staff;
• New bus driver Gary Lucas introduced himself and praised working with the district, staff and the children. He thanked leaders for hiring him for the post;
• DiCola outlined plans at his school for more community outreach, saying speakers were visiting the building for talks about nutrition and character while Ascent Resources was offering quarterly STEM sessions with fifth- and sixth-graders using kits they donated to the school. He added that the annual Thanksgiving food drive was getting underway and the afterschool program has also begun;
• The board recognized the BLHS Golf Team on a winning 22-1 season and senior Preston Lindsay for advancing to the OHSAA District Golf Tournament; Brynn McKeever and Skyler Ebright as this year's BLHS Homecoming Queen and King; and BLJHS intervention specialist Darleen Archer for receiving the WTRF-TV Golden Apple Award;
• Officials thanked St. Adalbert's Church for providing a prep table, stove, refrigerator and mixer to the schools. Sudvary said the equipment will be used at buildings across the district and appreciated the Diocese of Steubenville for its generosity;
• The board set the next meeting for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the board office at Dillonvale.