(Posted Sept. 10, 2014)
By Sandi Latimer, Staff Writer
The Central Region of the Ohio School Boards Association will honor Aaron Johnson, Jonathan Alder Local Schools treasurer, with the Exemplary School Employee Award during the region’s conference Sept. 24.
Johnson stepped into the treasurer’s position during a time of financial crisis at Jonathan Alder. He now serves as treasurer for Jonathan Alder and Fairbanks school districts through a shared contract.
“I appreciate the boards’support and the support of Superintendent Gary Chapman,” Johnson said at the Sept. 8 Jonathan Alder school board meeting. “The staff is helpful. This is a great district to work for.”
Steve Votaw, Jonathan Alder school board president, said the nomination was a joint effort of the two districts’ boards.
“We appreciate the outstanding job he has done for the district,” Votaw said.
Johnson has been treasurer at Fairbanks for 13 years. He joined Jonathan Alder in May 2013 in a part-time capacity. In August of that year, he began the split service between the two districts. Johnson was hired at Jonathan Alder after an error was found in the five-year financial forecast, forcing the district to make over $1 million in cuts.
Bussing
According to Chapman, the district is experiencing some issues with bussing. Some routes had to be combined, especially in the southwest part of the district, and a bridge is out.
“Students are on the bus longer than we’d like, but we’re working on it,” he said. “It’s not ideal and not what we’d like but we’re working through it.”
The district recently hired a new bus driver and other candidates are completing driver training.
New teaching staff
Misty Swanger, director of curriculum and instruction, said new employees are being hired at Plain City Elementary. The school recently received a 21st Century grant designed to offer students assistance in math and reading over the next three years. Grant guidelines require programs to start by Oct. 15.
“We hope to have this one up and running by Oct. 1,” she said.
The school board’s next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13.
