Cambridge City School District, like every school district, is constantly evaluating school safety procedures and safety systems to ensure everything possible is being done to protect staff and students.
At the Board of Education meeting Thursday, the Board gave approval for the district to enter into a contract with Business Network Team for the purchase of Verkada hardware, licensing and installation of a camera surveillance system, sensors, and door intercom systems.
“We are always looking to make improvements to our technology in the district, and upgrades in the area of school safety is a priority,” Superintendent Dan Coffman said. “The new technology we will be installing will provide additional safety features, and peace of mind for our teachers, administrators, students and parents.”
According to Coffman, the new system will include new video cameras, sensors, and replace the antiquated door intercom systems at each building.
Board President Dave Peoples started the meeting with a moment of silence in remembrance of the Tuscarawas Valley School District students, parents, and teacher who perished in fatal bus accident earlier in the week.
“The Tusky Valley School community is in our thoughts,” Peoples said. “Our prayers go out to the victims’ families, and everyone affected by this tragic accident.”
CHS French teacher Cammie Bunting shares information about a proposed student trip to Europe with board members. Coffman also updated Board members on the “Conversations with Coffman” events he has hosted or will host at each building and with the public. Coffman shared information regarding graduation rates that is one of the topics that has been discussed during the informal events.
Also at the meeting, Cambridge High School French teacher Cammie Bunting and CHS principal Jason Bunting presented to the board plans for a possible out-of-country trip for students to Europe in 2025.
Student Services Director Carmen Feldner and Cambridge Primary Principal April Massey were also at the meeting to be recognized for earning the Golden Bell Award from the Muskingum County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The Golden Bell award is given to the school district that demonstrates outstanding achievements in connecting and engaging with students in the classroom. The district has maintained connections and has shown flexibility and understanding.
According to the nominator, “Cambridge Primary School went above and beyond for my son. He has autism and they did everything they could to meet all of his needs. They always sent me paperwork on anything in the community that they thought would benefit my son. Also, Dan Coffman was always so polite and sweet to my son, because my son always loved to talk to the man that ran the schools. Even if we ran into him out in public, he always took time for him.”
State Support Team member Lydia Brodegard shares information about the Each Child On Track initiative being implemented by CCSD. State Support Team member Lydia Brodegard talked to the board about approaches for
raising graduation rates in the state’s Comprehensive State Systemic Improvement Plan — also known as Each Child On Track.
Each Child On Track aims to increase the percentage of students with disabilities who graduate with a regular diploma and decrease the percentage of students with disabilities who drop out of school.
In other business, the Board approved a resolution authorizing Meta Solutions, acting as a member of the Ohio School Consortium (“Consortium”), to request and review bids for the purchase of natural gas services for the district starting with the July 2025 billing cycle and terminating no later than June 2030.
The Board approved an overnight, out of state trip for the Cambridge High School senior class to Port Canaveral, Florida, to board the Carnival Liberty and travel to the Bahamas/Bimini from March 21 through March 26, 2024.
The Board approved a resolution to amend the 2023-2024 master agreement with OMERESA, ITC for Final Forms set up and implementation; approved Lifetouch as the photographer for student pictures for the 2024-2025 school year; and approved the College Credit Plus Memorandum of Understanding between Zane State College and the school district for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Board approved a resolution to begin the process to competitively bid for the construction/renovation of the concession stand at McFarland Stadium.
The board also approved a number of personnel matters including the hiring of Amanda VanWasshenova, Hunter Williams, Douglas Stemm, Mary Stemm, Keaton Kyser, Kohl Ward, and Drew Yanico as substitute custodians; VanWasshenova and Mashelle Frohnapfel as substitute cooks; Frohnapfel as a substitute secretary; Brayden Waggoner as a computer technician assistant; Marlo Barker, April Castello and April Massey as multi-tiered systems of support coordinators; Samantha Livingston, Brianne Scott and Taylor Baumberger as substitute teachers; and Shanna Surrarrer as a part-time bus driver in training.
The Board approved the unpaid leave of Tara Sichina and Cindy Lucas, and the resignation of Sierra Smith.
The Board approved Jacquelyn Ackley, Tracy Zimish, Kayla Shaddix, Desiree Williams, Elizabeth Pizzuto and Ashley Dunlap as volunteers.
The Board approved Lyndsey Hummell, Kimberly Lynn, and Jana McConkey as 21st Century Community Learning Center teachers; and approved Rachel Levi, Stephanie Taylor, Jordan Ball, Christine Albaugh and Morgan Lahmers as 21st Century Community Learning Center Aides.
The Board approved extended service for Ray Leek and Rodney Gray; and approved Kim Valentine as substitute coordinator for the 2023-2024 school year.
In athletics, the board approved Tamara Gibson as assistant athletic director for CMS athletics; approved Sarah Lanning, Kellie Spratt, Scott Meredith, and Robert Hill as athletic volunteers.
The next meeting of the Cambridge Board of Education will be Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the Garfield Administrative Center.