More than $60,000 in donations were accepted by the Cambridge City School District Board of Education at the January meeting on Thursday night.
While donations designated for specific organizations and projects within the school district are commonly made and accepted by the board, rarely is there a month with five significant donations.
The local Eagles 386 donated $2,165 for the Class of 2023; COSI donated 900 STEM related learning lunch boxes for students in the grades 4-8 (grant), the Cambridge Kiwanis Club donated $5,000 for improvements at Don Coss Stadium (grant); the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio donated $4,000 for the CIS STEM Club (grant), and an anonymous donation of $50,000 was received to be used at the district’s discretion.
“While we appreciate the state funding and funding generated by local tax levies, we want to make sure we acknowledge the additional financial support we receive from our community,” Superintendent Dan Coffman said. “Whether unsolicited donations or donations that we receive though grant requests, the extra money allows our district to provide additional tools, equipment, and support to our students, athletes, and teachers.”
As usual, the January meeting is considered the organizational meeting. Board members began the first meeting of the year by electing new leadership. David Peoples was elected as president of the board while David Evancho was elected vice president.
Other annual business included designating the Daily Jeffersonian as the official newspaper for publication of notices required to be made in a newspaper; established meeting time as the third Thursday of each month at 5 p.m.
The board approved the 2023-2024 school calendar and the College Credit Plus memorandum of understanding between Zane State College and the school district for the 2023-2024 school year.
In personnel matters, the board approved the resignation of Kim McMillen, approved Sidney Feldner as a volunteer, approved a personal service contract for Doris Klemann, approved Shanna Surrarrer as a substitute cook, approved Lisa Daugherty as a CATS Club aide, approved Brynn Frame for maternity leave, approved the retirement of Scott Ruby, a limited teacher contract for Crystal Wilson, and an unpaid leave of absence for Michele Haverfield.
In athletics, the board approved the hiring of Jennifer Hatfield as head cross country coach, Tim Gibson as head girls’ tennis coach, Raymond Leek as head boys football coach, JR Fox as head boys’ soccer coach, Kevin Smith as head golf coach, Mike Birkhimer as reserve girls’ basketball coach, and Paul Rose as an athletic volunteer.
The next board meeting will be on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the Garfield Administrative Center.