BCS Board learns about large renovation project

BCS Board learns about large renovation project
Posted on 02/14/2022
Bellefontaine School Board

The Bellefontaine Board of Education learned about a large renovation project at BHS during their monthly meeting Monday night.

Energy Optimizers, USA from Dayton will perform the $3.7 million project over summer break.

Energy Optimizers Senior Sales Executive Kerstin Wilson gave a detailed overview of the many upgrades.

ESSER III funds from the federal government will pay for the project, which will lead to energy and maintenance savings for years to come.

The project will also provide a cleaner indoor environment, a healthy learning environment, extend the life of the building, and avoid future capital costs.

The specific components of the project include: replace an outdated chiller, add cooling to the high school gym, replace aging piping, remodel restrooms, replace two sections of the roof (library and center classrooms), new doors and windows, flooring, and building controls.

BCS Director of Administrative Services Roger Ely said, “This project is all about improving the learning environment for students. It’s a real blessing for the school.”

The original portion of the high school was built in 1968.

Last month, the board heard about a new chiller system that will cool the original 35 classrooms at BHS.

ESSER II funds will pay for that project.

Other highlights:

Board members heard a detailed presentation on how positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) are making a difference at Bellefontaine City Schools.

District administrators from each building explained the progress made in the last few years.

BMS launched the initiative nearly five years ago.

Assistant Principal Gavin Yoder said behavioral referrals have significantly dropped.

The goal of the program is to establish the same expectations for kindergartners through seniors.

The core values are Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be a Learner, and Be a Chieftain.

Administrators said it’s critical for each student to feel a part of the school district.

The ultimate goal is for the intervention to impact our community.

Longtime educator Sandi Chervenak detailed a proposed trip for the Bellefontaine Middle School Robotics Team to attend the U.S. Open Robotics Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Last month, the BMS Robotics Team finished runner-up to qualify for the national meet.

It’s the first time BMS has advanced to this level.

Team members include Cody Hudson, Hayden Maus, Mason Swisher, and Lorenz Henry.

Jordan Reser is the assistant coach.

The trip is scheduled for March 30th-April 3rd, pending board approval.

In personnel, the board approved the resignation of seventh-grade English Language Arts teacher Cathy Ulmer.

Ulmer will retire on May 20th. She has taught at Bellefontaine for 21 years.

Bus driver Michelle Whetsel resigned last month.

Madison Rader and Polly Rodenhausen were approved as substitute teachers.

Several spring coaching contracts were approved.

Katie Buffkin (varsity softball), Jason Calton (varsity boys tennis), and Ben Davis (varsity boys/girls track) will continue in their respective roles.

The board approved a new preschool program for next school year.

The preschool will be located at Bellefontaine Elementary School.

The board recognized January Seniors of the Month Lincoln Howell and Makayla Young.

The next board meeting will be March 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Distance Learning Center.

Photos: The Bellefontaine Board of Education meets in the Distance Learning Center.

Board members learn about the ESSER III project at BHS.

Seniors of the Month Lincoln Howell (left) and Makayla Young
Board renovation

Howell & Young


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