Board acts on technology, food issues

Nettle Creek School Corp. is addressing technology, food service, textbooks and other needs for the upcoming year.

At its May 13 meeting, the board approved several items, including a reimbursement resolution and timeline for the 2025 General Obligation Bond ($995,000). Proceeds will be used for a $750,000 corporation technology refresh and minor building and operations repairs.

In other technology news, Wi-Fi equipment has been installed at the baseball and softball fields, and approval of an ERATE bid means access points and switches can be replaced. Other internet backup options are being considered so phones can still operate if the internet goes down. An iPad audit is starting to review all devices.

Updates and actions

• Director of Learning Elizabeth Bryant described a data analysis for the high-ability program to see if it was yielding results. Information was shared with the Board Based Planning Committee. Bryant and building administrators will absorb the high-ability coordinator’s position. Services will change slightly for elementary students. 
• NCSC renewed its contract with Chartwells Food Service, with a 3.6% increase in management and administrative fees for 2025-2026. The management fee will increase from $0.084 to $0.087. The administrative fee will increase from $3,658.33 to $3,790.02, and the current equivalent meal factor remains $3.10.
• The board approved entering a contract with Wayne County’s other school districts and Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce to hire a director of employer engagement to connect teens with work-based learning opportunities.
• Bus inspections are completed; all passed. Driver Paul Stonerock is retiring.
• All board members thanked departing Hagerstown Junior-Senior High School Principal Josh Hallatt for his influence on students and dedication.

More personnel updates

Hires: Sarah Gentry, transportation and environmental services administrative assistant; Dana Whitney, HES instructional assistant; Molly Moreland, nurse assistant; Lynsie Combs, junior high cheer coach; Mallory Bledsoe, junior high cheer volunteer. 

Summer: Madison Miller, PLATO (credit recovery); Scott Snodgrass, conditioning coordinator; Phil Renforth, Caleb Blaase and Jeb Clifton, conditioning coaches; Brad Catey, girls basketball; Scott Snodgrass, football; Brian Dale, volleyball. Band volunteers: Adam Comer, Adam Dolfi, Kalen Richmond, Leeann Rinberger, Madison Raulston, Sara Grimm, Elisha James, Elijah DeBruler

Departure: Marsha Tollett

Policies

The board approved policies after second reading on topics including attendance, anti-bullying, student and employee discipline, suspension and expulsion, use of physical intervention and seclusion and restraint, suicide prevention and awareness, and background checks and  mandatory reporting.

Policies advancing after a first reading included school wellness, care and supervision of students, employee ethics, drug-free workplace, controlled substances for safety-sensitive positions, fitness of duty leaves and examinations, family and medical leaves of absence, employee benefits, resignations, and justifiable decreases.

In other business

• All administrator and district employee contracts were renewed for two years through June 30, 2027.
• New McGraw-Hill English/language arts textbooks were adopted for grades 3-8 after review by NCSC’s curriculum committee. Qualitative and quantitative data show their success, administrators said.
• NCSC is applying for credit cards for junior/senior high and elementary extracurricular activity accounts. Administrators say it’s the final step needed for proper transparency for audit purposes. 
• Next meeting: 6:30 p.m. June 11 at Hagerstown Elementary School’s LGI Room, 299 N. Sycamore, Hagerstown.