GALION, Ohio – During the Galion City School District Board of Education regular meeting Tuesday evening James Grubbs Jr. was unanimously approved as the new superintendent, to be effective Oct. 1.
Grubbs, who comes to Galion from Pioneer Career and Technology Center, according to a press release issued the same evening, brings more than 25 years of teaching and administrative experience to the district. He most recently served as the director of Business Affairs at Pioneer.
“We could not be happier to welcome Mr. Grubbs as the new superintendent of our district,” Board of Education President Jennifer Kuns said in the press release. “He has successful experience in all facets of education, and we look forward to him leading the Galion City School District.”
Grubbs, a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, earned his Bachelor’s of Science from The Ohio State University and his Master’s of Educational Administration from Ashland University. He has served as an instructor at North Central State College, and as a teacher and assistant principal in the Mansfield City Schools.
“I am very grateful that the Board of Education selected me to lead the Galion City School District,” Grubbs was quoted in the press release. “This district has many positive things happening, and I cannot wait to get to work to help Galion continue providing its students one of the best educational experiences in Crawford County and the north central Ohio region.”
Grubbs will replace current superintendent Mark Stefanik, who is leaving to take a superintendent position in North Carolina.
Food Service
Food Service Director Jacki Corona gave her department report to the board. Corona explained the many changes in food service in the schools in the past few years, including that students must take a certain number of items when checking out.
She explained that a student cannot just purchase a piece of pizza and milk, they must also purchase a fruit or vegetable as regulations require two ounces of grain and eight ounces of fruit.
As the student may not want the fruit or vegetable, the staff found a solution to avoid food waste by placing boxes of raisins by the register. Students may take a box of raisins for their required number amount of fruit for the day and, if unwanted, put them in a bin on the other side of the register where they are then put back on the shelf after lunch.
Corona addressed the breakfast programs and programs that allow students to receive free or discounted lunches. Students receiving assistance from these programs at the end of last school year will continue to receive assistance for the first 30 days of this school year.
Corona said they can reapply for the benefits to determine if they are still eligible. To qualify for the programs Corona said they there are three different certification methods which include direct certification, paper application, or extenuating circumstances.
Direct certification merges lists of qualifying families with lists on record for programs at jobs and family services. Paper applications that must be filled out within the first 30 days to continue receiving benefits from the previous school year. Extenuating circumstances are those such as the student being considered homeless, a runaway, or a foster child.
Corona also said that the school and students did an excellent job in supporting the Backpacks for Kids program through the Community Action Center. Over $16,000 was raised for the project last year and Corona said they will continue to support the program again this year.
