MOESC Board of Governors Discuss School Year, Hire New Personnel
The Board of Governors held their monthly meeting on July 15th. There was a lengthy discussion surrounding the reopening of schools in the region. Superintendent Kevin D. Kimmel updated the Board on the discussions and dialog among area districts as it relates the reopening schools and what may be included in their plans. The districts are working closely with the county health departments and their directors to provide guidance. Information guidance from the Governor’s office, the Ohio Department of Education, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local health departments are helping guide districts in their plans to reopen school.
Other items of note were:
- Superintendent Kimmel updated the Board on how school is going at the two Mid-Ohio ESC’s Private Residential Treatment Facilities; Abraxas and FIRST. Both schools transitioned back to face-to-face instruction earlier this month. He commended the administration and staff for working with each facility and the Richland County Health Department to return to school in a safe environment.
- The Board was provided an update on a remote learning plan which was part of the recently passed HB 164 to provide flexibility for districts in the event that instruction would need to return to remote learning. This plan will be presented at the August 19th Board of Governors meeting for approval.
- Several employment contracts were approved including the hire of Ms. Colleen Haynes.
Haynes was hired to be a Gifted Coordinator as part of a continuing effort to enhance the Gifted Program at Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. Her most recent position was at St. Francis deSales School in Akron where she had been an Enrichment Teacher/Consultant, but she also spent 16 years in the Crestview School District as a Gifted Intervention Specialist. She is a graduate of Ohio University where she received a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from The Ohio State University, and also continued her studies in Gifted Education at Ashland University.
Lynn Meister, Director of Teaching and Learning, said, “Colleen will be a valuable member of the gifted team. I am very happy to welcome her to Mid-Ohio!” Leanna Ferreira, Gifted Services Coordinator, echoed Meister’s enthusiasm. “Colleen brings a wealth of experience and passion to our gifted team. We are excited to have her join our team and to share her talents with our districts!”
Haynes said her previous work has prepared her well for this new position. “Within all of my teaching engagements, I have worked diligently to uncover my students’ needs, to offer both enrichment and remediation opportunities, and to partner with students to promote academic success. In addition, I have made it a key priority to cultivate relationships with parents and peer teachers as I create ‘teams’ committed to student success. Enjoying the process of receiving and offering professional development, I have been highly effective in modeling lessons to both engage and challenge the gifted learners.”