BCS Board approves certified contract; Reser named BES assistant principal

The Bellefontaine Board of Education approved a new three-year contract with the certified staff during their monthly meeting Monday night in the High School Sloan Distance Learning Center.

Members of the Bellefontaine Education Association (BEA) ratified the new contract last month. The contract covers the language of the economic package and insurance.

The contract runs from September 1st, 2025 through August 31st, 2028.

The certified staff will receive a 4-percent increase on their base salary in '25-'26, followed by a 2-percent increase in '26-'27 and a 2-percent increase in '27-'28.

Superintendent Brad Hall announced that he is abstaining from these pay increases over the next three years.

The board also approved monthly financial reports.

In personnel, the board accepted these resignations:

Phillip Blake - High School Math

Morgan Calton - 4th Grade English Language Arts

Katy Curnutte - High School Spanish

April Easton - High School Science

Melinda Haberman - Intervention Specialist

Tracy Huffman - Kindergarten

Pat Martz - Intermediate School Principal (retiring on December 31st)

Riley Penhorwood - Intervention Specialist

Jordan Reser - STEM

Dawn Spangler - BES Guidance Counselor

Nichole Stafford - Intervention Specialist

Whitney Stolly - Intermediate School Assistant Principal

Alyssa Ward - Kindergarten

Erica Warne - 5th Grade

Trinity Floyd - Educational Aide

Azalia Hawkey - Educational Aide

Meredith Richters - Percussion Advisor

The board hired the following:

Jordan Reser - BES Assistant Principal

Cailyn Coronado - High School Spanish

Deena Fenske - BES Guidance Counselor

Grant Gariety - 7th Grade Social Studies

Brian Hanson - Intervention Specialist

Justin Hudgell - Intervention Specialist

Hanna Kean - High School Math

Drew Jackson - Intervention Specialist

Catherine Kern - Intervention Specialist

Sarah McDonald - 5th Grade

Amanda McGee - Kindergarten

April Pulfer - Intervention Specialist

Bryant Runyon - 5th Grade

Hannah Shoffner - 2nd Grade

Whitney Stolly - Literacy Coach

Brielle Ward - Preschool

Riley Penhorwood - Substitute Custodian

Two supplemental contracts were approved:

Morgan Standley - Winter/Spring Weight Room Coordinator

Michelle Hilliard - High School Volleyball Assistant Coach

In other personnel, the board completed their annual evaluations of Superintendent Hall and Treasurer Josh Wasson.

Board President Colin Yoder issued statements on both evaluations.

“The Bellefontaine Board of Education gave Mr. Hall a positive evaluation for the last academic year. The board believes he has done a great job managing district operations and personnel while keeping the district focused on academic excellence and student safety.”

“The board has given Treasurer Josh Wasson a positive evaluation for the last academic year. The board is pleased with Mr. Wasson’s management of district finances, the accuracy of his financial forecasting, and his efforts to streamline and improve the level of service and consistency delivered by the Treasurer’s Office.”

Finally, the board approved the following:

A Chromebook maintenance and licensing fee of $50 per student in '25-'26 to cover the costs of accidental damage and premium software licenses.

Workbook prices and student fees for '25-'26. Each student attending BCS will be assessed a flat fee of $30. All academic costs above $30 per student will be paid from the general fund.

The food service agreement between BCS and Madison-Champaign County ESC

The athletic spectator code of conduct policy

The elementary student handbook (K-5)

The middle school student handbook

The high school student handbook

The district student handbook

The board will meet in special session at the board office on July 17th at 4 p.m. The board will go into executive session to discuss personnel.

The next regular board meeting will be on August 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Distance Learning Center at BHS.

Photos: The Bellefontaine Board of Education meets in the Distance Learning Center.

BES Assistant Principal Jordan Reser