Meeting in regular session the Cardington-Lincoln Board of Education approved the 2016-2017 calendar, which sets the start date for the 2016-2017 school year for Aug. 16.
Cardington-Lincoln Superintendent Brian Petrie explained the process for approval of the calendar. He said there is a committee of teachers and administrators who come up with a calendar that is taken to the teachers association for approval.
He said there are many people who would like school to start after the fair.
“I understand that,” he explained. “It’s the judgment of those in charge of teaching and learning and are responsible as to how the students are evaluated, realize that a delay in start of school can have a detrimental effect on the amount of time we have to prepare for these assessments. It’s the reality of the educational world that is how we are held accountable.”
He said they will work with students who are involved with the fair and should a student have an obligation to the fair the day after it closes, they will be excused for that.
He noted three of the four districts in Morrow County are starting on Aug. 16.
Bus pick up times will also change with K-6 students picked up at 8:45 a.m. and dismissed at 3:30 p.m,; grades 7-12 will be picked up at 7:50 a.m. and dismissed at 2:30 p.m.
In other action, the board approved the resignation of Mike Wilson, custodian, effective March 4; the board paid severance upon retirement of $516.58 to bus aide Dave Leonard and the reinstatement of the contract from RIF due to resignation recall of Randy Miller, custodian effective March 8.
The overnight trip/out of state of an approximate 85 eighth grade students to Washington DC May 18-21 with advisor Donna Kill was approved. There will be six other chaperones traveling with them.
Speaking to the board was Cardington Mayor Susie Peyton, who as a member of the Friends of Cardington, asked for support for the Memorial Day parade.
She asked for school groups to join the parade to be held on Memorial Day.
The mayor also said a circus will be coming on Tuesday, May 10. and will give two shows, one at 5 pm and the other at 7:30 pm. Logistics are being worked out for the performance to be given on school grounds.
Petrie recognized five students who participated in the local, county and Tri County Spelling bees and five who won in the local spelling bee.
He also recognized Social Studies teacher Kirsten Ebert for the outstanding work she has done on the district newsletter. He said this letter will be displayed at the OSBA Conference meeting. “I have had nothing but positive feedback on her work,” Petrie said.
