Mansfield’s Board of Education met Tuesday evening for the last regular scheduled meeting before classes start on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The board room at the Raemelton Administration Building was filled with community members, teachers, and other administrative members of the school district.
The board heard three presentations given by individuals who are working to offer Mansfield City Schools’ youth a better education. After hearing from two, President Renda Cline said the presentations are indicative of a new year.
“As we move forward we want all of the adults to be on board with moving forward, going with different changes. We’re changing in the right direction and it does certainly take a village to raise a child. So to raise a district, it takes everyone,” said Cline.
President of City Mills Technology David Rose presented Mansfield City School Board with the progress he and his team made in preparing the district with upgraded technology. The company was hired by the district in June to manage anything technology-related in the schools.
Rose updated the board on what his team of five accomplished during the summer months. The additions included new computers in labs and upgraded software on all computers in all buildings.
“The goal is to have all the students in the district using and touching the latest software out in the market,” said Rose. “I think everybody is going to be pleased by the new labs,” he added.
Leslie Nielsen presented the board with a Power Point presentation that outlined last school year’s progress in Project Lead the Way.(PLTW) Before teaching this program, Nielsen worked as an electrical engineer. She started home-schooling her children, and eventually started teaching PLTW. This will be her third year teaching the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) based program to high school students. The program allows for students to receive college credit.
“STEM careers are the future, and the future is now. As she said, our industry is very thirsty for students who have this background,” said Superintendent Brian Garverick.
The board also approved certified and non-certified resignations, retirements, appointments and changes of statuses. Among those were Robert McQuate, who will be the new Assistant Principal at Mansfield Middle School.
Additionally, Jason Douglas will serve as the Interim Principal at Hedges Elementary; and Kim Johnson will serve as an Interim Assistant Principle at Sherman Elementary.
“These are very highly qualified individuals,” commended Garverick.
Senior High’s Assistant Principal Fuzzie Davis’s change of status was tabled for consideration for a later date.
Another presentation was given by Associate Professor Terri Bucci for Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU-M), who spoke about her involvement with the Springmill Learning Center. Bucci is a current member of the Springmill Learning Center Steering Committee, which aims to create a strategic plan for generating revenue for the building.
“This right now is a great partnership with Ohio State. I commend Dr. Bucci for kick starting it with Dr. McEwan. It’s most appreciated,” said Garverick.
Future meetings will be held at the Raemelton Adminstration Building on 856 West Cook Road. The next meeting is scheduled for September 16 at 7 p.m. The Financial Commission Board Meeting will take place on August 28 at 4 p.m.
