The atmosphere at the Mount Gilead School Board meeting Tuesday was overflowing with anticipation and excitement for the new school year.
Open house will be held at all three school buildings on Tuesday Sept. 4 from 4-6 p.m. A district-wide pep rally will be held at 6 p.m. at the high school stadium with the teams and the band.
The first day of the school year is Wednesday, Sept, 5.
Athletic Director and Dean of Students Dave Logan reported that one third of high school students are in a team sport this fall. In addition, 55 students are in the band and many more students will participate in other extra-curricular activities such as plays.
Logan commended the maintenance crew for their “excellent work” repairing the high school stage, painting the weight room and several other buildings on the high school campus.
New Athletic Boosters President Donna Page thanked all for the “huge showing of community support at the pie auction last week.” Over $12,000 was raised by the booster pie auction.
Middle School Principal Jon Grega described the “dynamic new maker space planned for the media center.” It will be used as a creative area to improve skills in technology and computers.
Funds for the maker space were donated by Skylar Bentley’s family. The design is by Jake Hayes and Yanina Frederick.
“We need to spread the word that we care,” said Grega as he thanked the board for their support in repairs and painting that was completed at Cherry Street Gym. Grega also thanked all who gave donations and volunteered time for the improvements for the outdoor classroom at the Middle School.
Special Education Coordinator Molly Clapper spoke with emotion as she thanked “the moms who are here working very hard for your community.” She praised and thanked parent Erin Kelty for her many years of work as a volunteer for Park Avenue PTO.
“You have a community working for you,” Clapper told the board.
In other matters:
• The board approved the following individuals for employment in 2018-2019: Tanya Bush, Full-time bus driver; Tracey Curtis Substitute Aide and Substitute teacher; Meg Mergel, Substitute teacher; Cindy Noel, Substitute Aide and Julie Rhea, Fourth Grade teacher.
Supplemental contracts were approved for: Yanina Frederick, Middle School Builder’s Club Advisor (volunteer.) Mark Kennon, Head Baseball Coach; Katie Linder, Assistant Swim Coach; Faye Ruhl, Middle School Athletic Director and Jodi VanHouten, Freshman Volleyball Coach.
• Citizens for Mount Gilead Schools Committee for the levy submitted a letter seeking donations to support a successful campaign for the passage of the Income Tax Levy on the ballot in November. Chairpersons for the committee are Erin Kelty, Brandie Salisbury and Michelle Mounts.
Donations for the levy campaign are to be sent to: Citizens for Mount Gilead Schools, Attention Thomas Griffith, Treasurer, 321 Northfield Drive, Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
Mount Gilead School Board meetings are the third Thursday of the month. The next school board meeting will be Tuesday, September 18 at 7 p.m.
