The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

School board approves code of conduct changes

Winter weather advisory issued for Friday
6:53 p.m.
Teen accused in fatal beating to be charged as an adult
5:31 p.m.
Virginia governor to speak at county republican's dinner
3:36 p.m.
Chabot’s son arrested in Oxford
3:29 p.m.
Center taps into Ohio oil, gas boom
3:21 p.m.
> More headlines

By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer 7:32 PM Tuesday, July 14, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Board of Education unanimously approved changes to the student code of conduct that allow the district to suspend students from extracurricular activities for their behavior outside school.

Although school officials and even board members previously said gaps in the policy were brought to light by the case of a former athlete who continued to play sports while court action was pending, board President Greg Tyus denied that during the meeting Monday, July 13.

“This policy is about all extracurricular activities. It is not just geared toward sports. Nor was it written because of an issue we had with an athlete this school year,” Tyus said.

Tyus stressed the policy committee did not form because of the issues with the athlete and said “we review policies all of the time.”

Board approves raise for administrators

The school board approved a 2 percent raise in the base pay of administrators for the upcoming contract year, which begins July 1.

Administrator salaries had been frozen for at least a year and possibly two years, Tyus said.

He said discussion of the raise began earlier, but the board wanted to wait to hire a new treasurer to look at the numbers before making a decision.

Committee to discuss fee collection

The school board has requested a committee take a look at how school fees are collected.

School fees go to pay workbooks, art supplies and other consumable items. The board wants to either force collection or stop charging.

As the board voted to approve fees for the 2009-10 school year, they expressed a desire to come up with additional ways to ensure the fees are paid by all students.

That could include barring students from extracurricular activities until school fees are paid.

Tyus said allowing debt to mount throughout a student’s education career before finally withholding a diploma until they pay encourages high debt.

He said it’s far more cumbersome for students to pay a large amount at the end of the year.

Board member Marica Andrew said she has a problem with charging students for items they have to use for required classes.

New score board, weight equipment planned

Middletown could spend up to $42,000 to come in line with Title IX, which is aimed at ensuring there are no disparities in sports for girls and boys.

The district did a self evaluation to ensure there were equal opportunities for male and female students and since then has been working on recommendations that came out of that report.

The district estimates it will cost $5,000 to create a new dance team with at least 23 female students, Human Resource Director Lisa Lowery said in an update to the board Monday.

The money would go to uniforms, equipment and travel expenses.

A new softball scoreboard, costing $6,180, has been purchased and will be installed, Lowery said.

Weight room equipment is also being purchased for $20,317, which includes training. The district is still deciding where to install the equipment, Lowery said.

Other costs will go to coaching and training.

Meet and greet dates set

A Middletown graduate interested in running for a spot on the Middletown Board of Education is planning opportunities in the coming months to meet the public.

Adam Gibbs plans to spend time at the city building, public library and possibly other locations to talk to anyone who would like to meet him.

Gibbs, a 2007 Middletown High School grad, has pulled petitions for one of two open seats on the Middletown Board of Education, but has not yet filed, according to the Butler County Board of Election’s Web site. He is the only person to pull petitions so far.

Upcoming dates to meet him are: 2 p.m. July 27, July 29, and July 31 at the Middletown Public Library; and 5 p.m. Aug. 4, Aug. 7, Aug. 13, Aug. 14 and Aug. 27 at the Middletown City Building.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.

Share this article