Lake School Board of Education accepts resignation of treasurer Moffat

May Meeting

KEY ACTION Accepted the resignation of Robert A. Moffat as Treasurer of Lake Local Schools to be effective June 30.

Discussion: Superintendent Jeff Wendorf thanked Moffat for his service to Lake Local Schools saying,“He has been one of our most cherished employees. He has serviced well and is one of the masters at the five-year [financial] forecast in the state; a true master and well respected. We will truly miss him.”

Moffat has served with the board since 1992 and worked in the private sector for 23 years prior to working in the school, totaling 43 years of service. Additionally, Board President Dave Poling said, “Bob the person outside of being the Bob the Treasurer is just a great human being. He's not replaceable, but we will certainly look for a good candidate.”

Stragic Plan approved

Approved the Strategic Plan for the 2012-2012 school year. Lake Music Director Rich Kibler attended the Strategic planning session.

“It was really great dialogue, we all agreed to disagree, and that was OK,” Kibler said. “At the end of the day, we came to a consensus.”

Furthermore Casey Mackert, director of performance and public relations, said, “We were able to show people how we work through our process for writing the mission, vision and values as well as talk about our continuous improvement at Lake.”

Peanut Butter discussion

Dr. Elizabeth Muckley, an optometrist and parent in the community, spoke regarding Lake's policies for accommodating students with food allergies or other health concerns. Muckley's son, Max Muckley is a first grader with a peanut allergy and is forced to provide his own snacks for all food-related activities in the classroom. Muckley said she has been disappointed with Lake's efforts to improve conditions for students with food allergies as well as its general food culture.

“This is not only (about) the food allergy child,” said Muckley. “It is about the overall health of students... I'm not trying to ban peanuts in the school... it is my wish to work to advocate for students as well as to improve district wide food policies including education for all staff and personnel, safer cafeteria guidelines to decrease cross contamination.”

This year, Muckley kept a tally of all food-related activities that her son Max was asked to participate in and for which he had to provide his own treats. Muckley counted 96 “food” days of the 178 student days, which is equivalent to a food-related activity every other day.

“Our son Max is looking for you to be his hero tonight and to reduce the risk of exposure to peanuts,” she said.

Furthermore, Max spoke eloquently to the board.

“Sometimes I do not feel safe at school when people have treats next to me,” Max Muckley said. “Sometimes people get food on my desk and if I touch it, I could get itchy spots. I feel uncomfortable and have to bring my own treats. I don't ride the bus because the bus drivers do not know how to use an epi-pen... I worry about other kids in the class with food allergies.”

OTHER ACTION

• Approved the proposal presented by the Lake Building Committee to begin construction for the Stadium Recognition Wall at a projected cost of $15,000. The masonry wall will replace the 57 foot long chain link fence at the entrance of the stadium and vary in height from seven to nine feet. Several black polished granite square piece will adorn the wall, displaying the names of several of the 350 donors who helped make the $840,000 turf project possible. In addition, several benches will line the wall to accommodate sports fans who arrive early to an event. Ron Pullium of the Lake Building Committee worked on the Lake Football Stadium press box project and will lead the current Stadium Wall project. The Lake Building Committee assumes all responsibility for the design and payment of the project; no expense will be paid by the board or     taxpayers.
• Adopted policies for substitute professional, part-time temporary and substitute support staff employment for the 2012-2013 school year, including a certified substitute rate of $75 per day and $80 per day on the 15th consecutive day, a substitute bus driver rate of $11 per hour and $9 per hour for all other     substitutes.
• Approved the first reading of student handbooks.
• Accepted a $900 grant from the Hartville Area Community Charitable Trust Fund as part of the stark Community Foundation of Canton. The grant is designated for the Summer Time Kids Program, which will allow students to participate in summer arts programs designed by the Lake Local School Drama Club.
• Accepted the first reading of several policies including policies for school properties disposal, integrated pest management,  computer/online services, animals in the schools, school admission and student fess, fines and charges. The policy for hazing and bullying will be updated to include cyber bullying and other outside school bullying that has an affect on school life. Additionally, the policy for food allergies and care of students with chronic health conditions will be reviewed due to the recommendation of Dr. Muckley. Wendorf said he will continue to work with families on this important issue.
• Accepted resignations due to retirement for Maintenance staff member James L. Bateman and Head Custodian Mark Kreitz. Batemean has been with the district since October 1975 while Kreitz has worked since 1983 and will have 30 years as of Jan. 1, 2013.
• Accepted a one-year, limited non-certified contract for Gregory D. Scott as head custodian at Hartville Elementary School beginning July 1. Scott will replace Will Yoder, who is resigning.
• Accepted a one-year, limited non-certified contract for Douglas D. McKita as bus mechanic.
• Issued a contract for Joshua Morckel as head volleyball coach.
• Announced Lake Local Schools' recognition from the NAMM Foundation as a “Best Community for Music Education” in the United States for its commitment to and support of music education in schools.

UP NEXT
Meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 18 at Large Group Instruction Room