By KAREN MUNDY
The Press-News
CANTON TWP. -- New learning organizations at Canton South High School and planning for the future of Amos McDannel Elementary were two important aspects of the Canton Local Board of Education meeting on Monday night.
Held at the high school, principal Todd Osborn and assistant principal Nicki Howard gave a report on the "learning organizations," which will be implemented next year. They will include science, technology, engineering and math academy; the arts academy and the business/industrial technology academy. Each will have core courses the students will take, and each will have many electives that students can choose to complete their schedules. The students will have a seven-period day-- plus lunch. Osborn said meetings have been held with eighth-graders and their parents to present this new academic program.
Students were asked what their favorite class or classes have been in school, and they were then encouraged to consider that class when they made a decision about what organization they wanted to study in high school. Students will also have more instructional time and will be limited to no more than one study hall.
With the suspension of operations at Amos McDannel Elementary School at the end of the 2009-10 school year, Teresa Purses, superintendent of school, announced an open house to be held at Amos on April 8, 5:30-7 p.m. At 7 p.m., community members are invited to share their ideas for the future of the elementary school. Scott Hamilton and David Brothers, representing the school board, will lead the discussion regarding options for the future use of the school.
Although previously announced, the school board took official action at the meeting concerning the superintendent's position. Due to health concerns, Teresa Purses resigned her position as superintendent. The board voted to hire Kim Redmond, who currently serves as curriculum director, as the new superintendent. Purses will then trade places with Redmond and become the curriculum director. This will go into effect at the end of the school year. Both were given three-year contracts, and board president Scott Hamilton congratulated both women, saying they have done "phenomenal" work in the district.
In other business, the board:
* CONGRATULATED students in grades five, six and seven and their teachers for their success in the recent math competitions; high school junior Joey Morris and his coach Skip Laughlin for Joey earning All-Ohio honors at the state wrestling meet and for the Lady Wildcats basketball team for advancing to the "Sweet Sixteen";
* RENEWED the depository agreement with the Bank of Magnolia;
* ACCEPTED the resignation of Michelle Hudach, teacher at Canton South; Shirley Douglas and Lynette Hershberger, teachers at Walker Elementary;
* APPROVED the employment of the following: Polly Darnley and Stephanie Welker, teachers at Walker Elementary; Larry Notz, teacher at Canton South and Carla Cush, substitute food service;
* NONRENEWED supplemental contracts, as is done on an annual basis;
* ACCEPTED several donations including a grand piano valued at $1,200 from Paula Sessions;
* APPROVED Marie DeLillo, teacher at Canton South, to accompany students to the state leadership conference;
* AGREED to continue the open-enrollment policy in the district;
* ACCEPTED an $800 grant awarded to Amy Szwast of Faircrest Memorial Middle School from the Target Foundation to fund an art learning experience;
* HEARD Gay Welker thank Jim Rondinella for volunteering his time to be a chess coach at Walker Elementary School;
* ENTERED into an executive session.
The next regular meeting of the board will be April 12, 7:30 p.m., at Faircrest Memorial Middle School.
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