(Posted Nov. 16, 2016)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
In the three months since JoLynn Wheatley became the social worker for Jonathan Alder Local Schools, she has been busy with family-, community-, and school-oriented services.
Wheatley outlined her work at the Nov. 14 school board meeting.
“I’ve focused on mental health,” she explained. “I’ve talked with students and also some parents.”
Since she was appointed in August, Wheatley has taken training and been certified as a member of the Madison County Crisis Response Team and in youth mental health first aid. She completed advanced school mental health training and finished compiling the JA Community Resource Guide available in all of the district’s buildings.
Wheatley’s work with students has included providing one-on-one mental health counseling and meeting with parents. These meetings came after her meetings with building principals.
She has also given presentations about the signs of suicide. Last year, the high school experienced the deaths of two students by their own hand.
To tap into area resources, Wheatley has formed a network in Plain City, Madison County and with the Ohio State University College of Social Work which sent her two student interns this fall.
Board business
The school board approved an upgrade and update for Ann Davis, who has been the ACT Test Prep and review coordinator since 2001. She will be making $22 an hour for handling three sessions of up to 25 hours each.
Misty Swanger, director of curriculum and instruction, noted that the ACT Review Class fee is increasing from $35 to $55.
Board members commended the members of Marysville Elks 1130 for their annual donation of dictionaries for every third-grader in the district.
District employees received an early holiday gift when the board approved a premium holiday on their health insurance. Superintendent Gary Chapman said it was the fourth year that the district employees would not have to pay their share of the health premium for one month.
Board members accepted the annual $20,000 donation from Memorial Health in Marysville, according to the Memorial Health Athletic Training Agreement with the athletic department.
The next board meeting is Dec. 12.
