The Shelby Board of Education was busy in their last session. Superintendent Tim Tarvin provided updates on the middle school. The meeting also set official graduation date for the 2013-2014 senior class of Shelby High School. Shelby High School Principal John Gies addressed an issue with local media.
Gies addressed the board about a letter to the editor that was published in the Shelby Daily Globe regarding censoring content of a video that was filmed by a group of middle school students.
“Since a letter of retraction has not been made, I feel that I need to set the record straight. I received an email from Mr. Siwek about bringing some of his students to the high school to film a segment on our problem-based learning model. He asked if they could interview me and some students,” said Gies.
“I completed my interview and I did remain in the room while the high school students did their interviews. I only spoke to the high school students about speaking up and looking into the camera. When they were finished the high school students walked back to the commons to finish their lunch and I walked the middle school students to the main office,” said Gies.
“Sometime in the next week, I received another email from Mr. Siwek about bringing the middle school students back to the high school to get some video footage of high school students in the classroom. I walked them to the classrooms where they took the video footage and then the middle school students returned to the middle school. My only comment to Mr. Siwek about the video was that some of the comments of the high school students were negative and that the video footage of the students working was pretty good. Mr. Siwek and I never had a conversation about what to include or what not to include in the video. Contrary to the accusations, Mr. Walker, and I did not tell him what to include or to delete from his class’s video,” said Gies.
“I did not hand pick any students nor did I tell them what to say. There were some pretty serious accusations in the letter and I am disappointed that the time was not taken to have a conversation with myself, Mr. Walker, Mr. Tarvin, or Mr. Siwek and instead chose to write an extremely negative and accusatory letter to the newspaper. I’m also disappointed that even after being presented with the facts that a letter of retraction was not written. I’m not sure when it became acceptable to personally attack people or ideas who you disagree with before finding out all the facts,” said Gies.
“This letter was a personal attack on two administrators in this district. I have no problem with people disagreeing with anything we say or do. I only ask that it be done in a respectful manner. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I would never think to stifle someone’s thoughts. I’ve asked people to come in and see me if they have any questions. I sincerely appreciate those people who have taken me up on my offers and have come in and talk with me or visit the classrooms. I’m fortunate that I work with a great staff and students every day and I look forward to working with students, staff, fellow administrators, and parents to continue to make Shelby City School District the best around. I appreciate the time you have given me,” said Gies.
In other board activity, Tarvin reported that the high school has had landscaping pieces installed and that the middle school demolition is nearing completion. “There can’t be anything left there, the entire foundation must be removed. We are going to put gravel in place and we will use that space for parking in the future,” said Tarvin.
Tarvin also emphasized that the high school gym floor was ready for winter sports, with the exception of one minor noise issue. Once the game starts you don’t hear the squeaking and the squeaking does not impact the quality of the court as far as performance. We are good to go with the gym floor and we will address it at the end of the season to see what we need to do to get rid of the squeaks. If you have questions about anything, please ask,” said Tarvin.
The graduation date for the 2013-2014 senior class has been set for May 25, 2014 at 2 p.m. The Sunday date gives students additional time after an anticipated district track meet expected to be held on Friday of that week in Findlay. “It’s for the best interest in kids so they don’t have to rush back or miss graduation,” said Tarvin. Graduation will be inside the gymnasium at the high school.
In new business, the board approved purchasing flood insurance for Skiles Field and approved vision insurance renewal. With the vision insurance renewal, there will be a 15 percent increase which will lead to an estimated increase of $4,500 annually with cost to the board. Also, the board approved New Hope Preschool Contract with a cost of $32 per day which will lead to an increase of $1 per day from last year.
