Maplewood Career Center School Board meeting includes a tour

The Board of Education meeting at Maplewood Career Center began a little differently than most – in a welding lab.

 

Surrounded by metal cans full of drill bits, racks of pipes, and the fumes from welding gas and oil, the board speaks with welding instructor Mr. Britt Palmer and some of his students. Each monthly board meeting starts off with a tour of all the different programs offered by the career center.

 

“Most of us are very familiar with the K-12 school.” Supervisor of Business Affairs Mike Lenzo said. “This is a little different for them. So what we want to try to do is keep them apprised in what’s changing in the career fields and what we need to do to keep our kids current, and then also showcase the wonderful things our kids do.” This month they tour the award-winning welding department to get familiar with the kids and their needs.

 

“The program is almost always full – and that’s a testament to what Mr. Palmer does for us,” says Superintendent Randy Griffith. “He’s always had high enrollment. And it’s easy to say ‘well it’s easier – I could go with a few less kids’ but Mr. Palmer never does that. He always keeps it full. And the more kids he has the better an impact he makes.”

 

Mr. Palmer gave a heartfelt to thank you to the board after his tour. “I’ve said before but it’s worth saying again – it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” Mr. Palmer said, beaming at the students. “And when I say goodbye to them for the last day, it’s honestly like saying goodbye to your daughter or son when going off to college or the military.” Mr. Palmer quickly wiped his eyes. “Sorry I’m getting teary-eyed – see I’m getting emotional right now.” His voice was breaking as he spoke to the board and smiled at his students.

“It’s like I have my kids. You don’t spend two years with 25 kids and not care about them.”

After roll call the board moved onto discuss recent successes, summer projects, and new education legislation. The meeting kicked off with a list of all the relevant bills either passed or in the house at this point. They mentioned House Bills 378, 360, 508, which designates scholarships, and 318, which establishes resource officer training; all these bills were passed. Lenzo says they’re all important to managing this school, however, the big ones to watch are those that deal with financial info and bullying.

 

The board also took a few minutes to recognize their students’ successes. National Honors Society Members were inducted earlier that day and perfect attendance was also awarded to 76 students. The Board also raved about a recent graduate’s new restaurant – the Remarkable Diner in Barberton.

 

Maplewood is preparing for their summer renovation goals. This year they hope to resurface the playground in the Early Childhood Education program and find new play equipment to replace the faded and well-loved Little Tike toys. “It really doesn’t look like much of a playground right now,” Superintendent Griffith said. “Stay off the slide,” he jokingly told another board member.

 

One decision met with groans was the required rise in health care rates. Medical insurance will increase 9.4%, and dental will see a 5% rise as well. These numbers are based off an evaluation of the past 30 months in the district, so Superintendent Griffith says he expects the numbers to be lower in the next 30 months.

 

Maplewood will also add a day to their calendar this year. They were not approved for Blizzard Bags this year, a program that allows school districts additional snow days. The school district used all 7 of their snow days this year, adding the 8th missed day to the end of the semester.

 

Education Bills

Passed bills:

HB 378 – Ohio broadband development program

HB 360  – expulsion and suspension policies for bullying and harassment

HB 508 – for scholarships in higher ed and tech colleges

HB 318 – establishes qualifications/training for school resource officers

 

Bills to watch:

HB 82 – public schools to report absences within 2 hours of every day

HB 591 – revised state report cards system

HB 549 – public and private schools required to be open after labor day

HB 524 – extend Ohio’s income tax deductions

HB 559 – requires healthcare providers to use state-provided immunization forms

HB 438 – composition and annexation of ESCs and local school districts

HB 431 – verification of school enrollment

HB 236 – positive intervention and support systems