SUNBURY — Reviews have been favorable for the new athletic facilities at Big Walnut High School.
“The stadium is beautiful,” said board member Alice Nicks at the Big Walnut Board of Education meeting at the District Administrative Office on Aug. 18. She had attended the first half of a girls soccer match.
“I don’t know about these girls on AstroTurf. It’ll be a challenge because the ball moves a whole lot quicker … but it really looks nice.” Nicks said.
“It’s an exciting time this fall,” said board member Angela Graziosi, echoing Nicks’ sentiments.
At the first varsity football game on Aug. 19, the home stands were packed, and people found themselves searching for parking spots. There was plenty of praise and thanks expressed over the course of the game from attendees and staff. The Golden Eagles beat the Bishop Hartley Hawks, 35-7.
In other board business on Aug. 18, members approved a revision to the Device Loan Agreement for Chromebooks in the district handbooks. Bus stops for the new school year were approved, and district Superintendent Ryan McLane said some routes were being combined due to a shortage of bus drivers. McLane said a long-term goal of the district is to have a school resource officer in every building, and the district is negotiating with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office to increase the number of SROs.
Treasurer Jeremy Buskirk said revenues are on track with what was projected, but expenditures are a little high due to the impacts of inflation. He said this will be the first full year under the new school funding formula and grants should be more stable.
There will be a special meeting on Sept. 8 to discuss board policies, President Doug Crowl said. Nicks thanked everyone for the smooth start to the new school year. Board member Sherri Dorsch welcomed all the new staff in the district.
A member of the public spoke about the use of pronouns. She said she didn’t like that teachers are asking students what their pronouns are.
The board met for about 40 minutes before going into executive session “to consider the employment of a public employee or official, to prepare for negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment, and to discuss details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for the Board of Education,” the agenda said.
Nearly two hours later, the board exited the executive session and the meeting adjourned.
