(Posted Dec. 14, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Many school districts struggle to maintain a go-to pool of substitute staffers. London City Schools is no exception, but school leaders recently took a step to potentially improve their situation.
On Dec. 8, the school board approved increases in the pay rates for all substitute staffers. Effective Dec. 21, rates for teachers will go from $95 per day to $105 per day. Rates for custodians, aides, cooks and secretaries will go from $9 per hour to $13 per hour.
“This makes the district more attractive to be a place to substitute,” said superintendent Dr. Lou Kramer.
He said the new rates put London City Schools more in line with what other area school districts are paying. In his research, he found the highest area daily rate for teachers was $107. The highest hourly rate for custodians, aides, cooks and secretaries was $15.
“With the economy overall being okay…it is hard to find substitutes, so we made the change to be more competitive,” Kramer said.
Brooks farewell
The Dec. 8 meeting was the last meeting of school board member Curtis Brooks’ current term. He was not re-elected to another term in the November election. Board president Marvin Homan took time to thank Brooks for his 10 consecutive years of service as a school board member.
“(Curtis) has been steadfast and worked hard through the good times and the bad times, too,” Homan said. “He will be sorely missed.”
Brooks described his time on the board as a good experience. His goal has always been to make a positive impact, he said: “I feel like we’ve made some headway.”
Brooks said school board members don’t take on the role for the pay, but for the chance to make that positive impact. He said his reward is seeing students progress through school and graduate.
“That diploma is the starting point of the next phase of their lives,” he said.
High school kudos
Each month, the school board hears from one of the district’s principals about special student achievements. This month, the spotlight was on the high school.
Among the students praised by Principal Chad Eisler were Julie Adkins, Nathan Adkins and Grant Brooks, all named to the annual Capital University Honor Band. A total of 325 students from over 70 schools were nominated. Placement was competitive. Selected students came together to perform a free concert at the university’s Bexley campus on Nov. 21.
Senior Michael Johnson and sophomore Jacob Jones were recognized for achieving all-state status in football. Johnson, a running back, was named first-team all-state, offensive player of the year for the state of Ohio in Div. IV, Central District offensive player of the year, and Mid State League back of the year, among other honors. He holds the school record for most yards in a season (2,989) and ranks ninth overall in this category in Ohio high school football history. Jones was named second-team all-state, first-team all-district, and second-team all-MSL.
“We’re very, very proud of both of them. Their both humble guys,” Eisler said.
Students involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes informed the board of their success with this year’s Operation Christmas Child project, part of the global charitable effort known as Samaritan’s Purse. The group filled 65 shoeboxes with toys, games, hygiene items and small Bibles to send to less fortunate children around the world. They raised $573, the most in the group’s history with the project, to cover shipping costs. To raise the cash, they invited fellow students to cast votes with money for the teachers they most wanted to see hit with a pie in the face.
Organizational meeting
The board will hold its annual organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12 followed immediately by the regular meeting. The organizational meeting covers routine actions, including election of board president and vice president for the year.
