News Democrat

Western receives $200,000 grant

By Martha Jacob

The Western Brown Board of Education met on June 18 for its regular scheduled meeting. Jina Bohl, assistant principal and federal programs, talked briefly about the district being the recipient of a $201,545 “Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (SRCL) Grant from the Ohio Department of Education. “Western Brown is one of only two school districts in our area to receive a SRCL Grant,” Bohl said. “The other district was Hillsboro. “Ohio had $33 million which was divided between 46 school districts and consortiums of districts to improve the language and literacy development of Ohio’s children. This grant, which we worked on for over a month took a lot of hours to apply for these funds will mean a lot to our district.” The grant funds will be used to help coach teachers and get families involved in programs improving language and literature and the development of children, according to Bohl. Following the approval of the May 14 board meeting, approval of the May financials and investments, the board approved the resignation of Andrew Gill, high school varsity girls assistant basketball coach. Gill was later approved as Hamersville Elementary/Middle School 7th and 8th grade boys basketball coach. He replaced Brandon Drew who resigned from the position. Katlyn Little, Mt. Orab Elementary School Teacher also submitted her resignation which the board accepted. The board approved the resignations. Later in the meeting the board approved the following actions: • approved a list of sub bus drivers and sub bus aides and sub custodians (available upon request); • approved all cafeteria subs; • approved Gail Potts for a transportation car route; • approved Mt. Orab Summer Intervention staff; • approved 2018-2019 non-union salaries • approved Gunnar Woodyard as Mt. Orab Middle School (MOMS) Intervention teacher • approved Julie Ingram as (MOMS) ELA/social studies teacher; • approved Lisa Courts as MOMS math/science teacher • approved Matthew McKinney as high school W.E.S.T. teacher; • approved RAP team/foundation training teacher stipends; • approved high school strength training (Feb. – April, 2018); • approved certified employees – tutoring and home instruction for FY 18 and FY 19. Under the business portion of the meeting the board also approve participation in wrestling camp at Missouri University, West Virginia, River Valley High School, Brecksville High School, Central Crossing High School and Dublin Scioto High School. The board approved travel by DECA members to Carrollton in July as well as the final list of graduates of the 2018 class. The adult school cafeteria lunch cost was approved at $3.75, a 10-year contract with Mercy Health for an athletic trainer and the board also approved tech contracts.