SUNBURY — With a new school year underway, here is a brief recap of recent Big Walnut Board of Education meetings.
• The April 15 meeting recognitions included the boys bowling team and All-Ohio Honorable Mention basketball players: Denza Allen, Remy Largent and Trenton Minor.
• A brief Public Records Commission meeting took place on May 20, followed by the regular board meeting. The board approved the May 2024 five-year forecast and its assumptions.
• The district’s Future Farmers of America branch was recognized at the June 17 meeting. The FFA State Recognitions were in Agricultural Biotechnology, Public Speaking, Greenhand Quiz, Floriculture, Dog Grooming, Equine Management, and Agricultural Issues Forum. The board voted 4-1 not to purchase of Reveal Math through McGraw-Hill following public comment.
• A special meeting regarding facilities took place on June 21. There were updates given on staffing, transportation, cell phones and “Student Wellness and Success.”
• The June 24 meeting marked the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
• The special meeting on July 9 marked the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. On the agenda included an executive session “to consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or student.”
• The board next met on July 15. Girls shot putter Autumn Newman was recognized.
• There was a special meeting on July 24. The agenda included the following item, “It is recommended the Board approve the contract between Big Walnut Local School District Board of Education and Syntero, Inc. for the purpose of providing additional behavioral health services to referred students in the amount of 3 days per week. This is in addition to the services provided by Syntero, Inc. through the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board prevention program that is provided to Big Walnut at no cost.”
• An emergency meeting on Aug. 9 featured a discussion of property.
• The next meeting was Aug. 19.
• Subsequent regular meetings for the year are scheduled for Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.
The Board consists of President Stephen Fujii, Vice President Angela Graziosi, Doug Crowl, Zach Duffey and Alice Nicks. Also attending were Superintendent Ryan McLane, Assistant Superintendent Megan Forman and Interim Treasurer Scott Gooding. They typically meet at the Administrative Office, 110 Tippett Court, Sunbury.
For more information, visit www.bwls.net (website), Big Walnut Local Schools (Facebook), Big Walnut Local Schools (YouTube) or bwlsdoh (Instagram).
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County and surrounding areas. He can be reached at 740-413-0906.
