There are new faces in place on Groveport Madison Board of Education.
The board’s Jan. 2 meeting was the first for new members Nathan Slonaker, Steven Slyh, and Mary Tedrow.
The board reorganized for 2008 by unanimously electing Dr. Naomi Sealey as board president and electing Slonaker as vice-president by a 4-1 vote with only board member John Kershner dissenting.
Slonaker was the second choice for vice-president as Tedrow was initially nominated for the role, but she was defeated by a 3-2 vote with Kershner, Sealey, and Slonaker in the majority.
The board also set its meeting schedule for 2008. The next meeting will be Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the district administration office, 5940 Clyde Moore Drive in Groveport. The remaining meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in the Madison Township Community Center, 4575 Madison Lane, on the following dates: Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10.
Though she voted in favor of the schedule and meeting place, Tedrow expressed misgivings about using the Madison Township Community Center for the board meetings.
"It’s hard to have a good conversation among the board at the community center," said Tedrow. "I would rather have the meetings here in the administration office, or in school buildings, where we can face each other. It would be easier to talk and see. It’s hard to hear at the community center. I think communication among ourselves is really important."
Kershner pointed out that the advantage of using the Madison Township Community Center is that it has digital recording equipment that enables the board to accurately document its meetings.
Other Groveport Madison news
•Superintendent Scott McKenzie told the board that there are 1,170 students living within the Groveport Madison school district who attend charter schools. He stated the current enrollment for Groveport Madison schools is 6,132.
•At its Jan. 16 meeting, the board will evaluate its options for the district’s legal representation. The board asked Treasurer Anthony Swartz to provide them with a report on the district’s legal expenditures. The district has been using the law firm of Bricker and Eckler.
•Slyh handed out information to the board for potential resolutions for consideration on Jan. 16 including authorizing the superintendent to: serve as representative for special and federal projects; authorize all field trips and associated bus permits; act as purchasing agent; act for the board regarding student activity accounts; serve as civil rights coordinator and Title IX coordinator; and to make offers of employment (when the board is not in session) for either teaching or non-teaching positions (subject to board approval).
