The new 2013-2014 school year has officially begun in the Clear Fork Valley and has brought advancements and improvements with a goal of preparedness and connectivity.
Student safety and information access are two areas with significant improvements. In an effort to better streamline information between the high school, middle school and elementary the servers located at Bellville and Butler are being replaced by a single new server located at the high school.
The software program GroupWise 8 is being upgraded to GroupWise12 at all work stations. And will now have the ability to be accessed from mobile devices. A total of 250 iPads is being added to the network. Students in sixth and seventh grades will be able to pick up their iPads after the Labor Day holiday.
Security issues were originally addressed at the end of the last school year with a new, upgraded system that includes a buzz-in system and eleven new security cameras that have been installed throughout the high school and middle school. The system operates on a key card and code linking mechanism outfitted with automated locks set for 8 a.m.
Every staff member including the office at the high school and middle school has been issued a key card and code. An additional measure of security was the recent ALICE training that took place August 19 at the high school. The training focused on providing teachers and staff with critical response training in the event of an incident.
Staffing has undergone some changes as well, twenty new teachers were hired on with one opening still available. The status of superintendent has been changed to interim status with David Ritter managing the position until a full time replacement has been hired.”My professional goal is to make sure the district is run properly until a full time superintendent is hired,” said Ritter.
A new policy of random drug testing is being introduced this year. The testing will affect those students with driving passes and athletes. The cost is $28 and will be the responsibility of the students’ parents.
Maintenance of the football fields is now being done by Front and Center Turf of Mansfield. Improvements to the stadium also include new stadium seating. Along the running theme of better organization, the parking lots are now numbered with the spots being assigned to students.
Efficiency, student safety and providing the technology to ensure every child in the Clear Fork School District has every opportunity to be competitive in the academic arena at all levels is at the forefront of the staff.
With a background in education spanning 46 years and the experiences of holding the superintendent position in the Lucas Local School, Huron and Olentangy School Districts Ritter stated, “I have been involved with many Ohio school districts, Clear Fork is one of the best in terms of student abilities, teacher professionalism and community involvement.”
“I have been involved with many Ohio school districts, Clear Fork is one of the best in terms of student abilities, teacher professionalism and community involvement,” stated David Ritter.
