The Bellefontaine Board of Education approved a compensation change at their monthly meeting Monday night in the Distance Learning Center.

BCS bus drivers will be paid 5 1/4 hours per scheduled work day, effective October 3rd.

Previously, bus drivers were paid 5 hours per day.

The Bellefontaine City Schools’ bus fleet is among the most efficient in the state.

In the most recent efficiency rating, Bellefontaine finished in the top five percent.

Superintendent Brad Hall said, “We’ve reduced the number of routes, but our ridership has gone up on each bus. This has led to additional stops. The extra 15 minutes of compensation per day will be used for pre-trip inspections and post-trip reports.”

BCS is looking to hire substitute bus drivers.

If interested, contact Tammie Garman at 937-651-3497.

Board members then recognized two longtime BCS school resource officers.

Doug Walters and Allen Huffman recently achieved the Master SRO Level in Ohio.

Both officers submitted applications to the SRO Accreditation Program earlier this year.

Walters and Huffman completed the advanced school based law enforcement training at the Ohio School Resource Officers Association annual conferences.

They will receive a lapel pin and certificate at the 2023 OSROA annual conference in Sandusky next June.

Walters has been the school resource officer at BHS for six years.

Huffman has been the school resource officer at BMS for six years.

Both officers have built relationships with hundreds of students over the years.

Board President Brenda Sanford thanked both officers for their exceptional service.

Walters and Huffman were joined by Lieutenant Scott Marlow at the board meeting.

Board members approved the monthly financial reports from Treasurer Josh Wasson.

In personnel, the board accepted the resignations of these employees:

Laura Skidmore – High School Spanish Teacher

Suzanne Black – High School Tutor/Paraprofessional

Kevin Walker – 2nd Shift Custodian at the Central Office

Walker served the district for 21 years.

Sean Egler was hired as the district’s new attendance officer.

Previously, he was an aide at the high school.

The following substitutes were approved:

Emily Miller (previously Emily Walters) – Teacher

Landon Stapleton – Teacher

Svetlana Clark – Food Service

Kristy Feasel – Custodian

Suzie Linkinhoker – Educational Aide

The following supplemental contracts were approved:

Sean Egler – JV Boys Basketball Coach

Cam Mitchell – 8th Grade Boys Basketball Head Coach

Tom Rose – 7th Grade Boys Basketball Head Coach

Mike Mosbarger – Middle School Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

Theresa Vigansky – 8th Grade Girls Basketball Head Coach

Jeremiah Vigansky – 7th Grade Girls Basketball Head Coach

Kyle Spence – Middle School Wrestling Head Coach

Johnny Maurice – Middle School Wrestling Assistant Coach

The following volunteer coaches were approved:

Mark Brunswick – Boys Basketball

Andy Crabill – Boys Basketball

Brad Brown – Girls Basketball

Jeremy Ryan – Bowling

Finally, the board recognized October Seniors of the Month Ally Barker and Jack Hutchins.

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

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

Officer Walters (standing) speaks to the board. He is joined by Lt. Marlow (left) and Officer Huffman.