Students praised for behavior during threat

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By Whitney Vickers

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FAIRBORN —Fairborn High School’s bomb threat Thursday was unfounded, but the students behavior during the event earned them praise from district officials during the latest Dec. 10 board meeting.

Students were evacuated approximetly 11:10 a.m. Thursday while the Fairborn Police Department and K9 units from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to swept the area. Students were permitted to re-enter the building approximetly 1:10 p.m.

“You (students) left the building in a thoughtful, courteous way, managed to stay warm … and came back into the building in a thoughtful, caring way,” Superintendent Terry Riley said. “It made me proud to be superintendent today because of how well our exiting procedures worked with regards to a bomb threat … This was a great practice experience for us and it shared with all of us that what we’ve planned for will work and does work well.”

In a related action, the board passed a motion that would allow the district to hire a second school resource officer in January. Riley said the relationship between the district and city allowed them to work out a three-year deal to share a second officer with the Fairborn Police Department for the price of a newly-hire officer.

“They’re giving us a veteran officer at the cost of a new-hire,” Riley said. “We pay 66 percent of the cost of each of those (school resource officers). It’s a quality relationship with the city. I can’t express my appreciation adequately.”

Superintendent search update

After hosting two meetings to gather input in relation to what the community would like to see in the new superintendent, the application for the position will open up the week of Dec. 14.

The district hired K-12 Business Consulting to conduct the search. It found that the top five traits the new superintendent must posses include the ability and willingness to work with teachers, staff and parents; strong interpersonal and public relations skills; personal involvement with the community and schools; the ability to create and implement a vision for the district and strong organizational and management skills.

The application deadline is Jan. 29, screening and interviewing will take place in February and March and the individual will be named late March or early April.

March renewal levy

Board members emphasized passing the renewal levy during the March election.

“We must keep in mind that the number one thing we as a district must do right now is work hard to get that renewal levy passed,” exiting board member Roland Parks said. “That is very crucial, and if I’m not mistaken, if it fails it will derail quite a few things in a domino effect.”

The renewal levy generates $5 million annually, which is 11 percent of the total amount of the district’s general fund and goes toward operational costs, such as textbooks, supplies, buses and technology. It was initially passed in 2007 and renewed once in 2012. The levy will not create new taxes and if passed, will be in effect for five years.

“This is critical for the continued financial stability of the district,” Riley said. “It has nothing to do with new buildings, it’s just keeping this system going smoothly and celebrating young people … We’re on a few months early so we can move forward with regards to getting our bond issue moving forward. It’s all part of the big picture plan.”

Musical musings

The Fairborn High School chamber choral offered a performance and Fairborn High School Principal Gene Lolli offered an update in regards to the latest happenings with the Fairborn High School band.

Members performed in six competitions during the fall and finished in first place twice. The band also had two thirds, a fourth and fifth-place finish.

Band Director John Goretta said members were excited to play again.

In other areas of business, the Childrens Hunger Alliance awarded a $1,000 grant to Fairborn Primary and Intermediate schools to go toward its breakfast program. Fairborn Primary School earned a bronze star award for its breakfast program.

The next regular board meeting will take place 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in the Fairborn High School media center.

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News The Fairborn High School Chamber Choral, under the direction of Karen Goretta, offered a performance at the latest regular school board meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0733.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News The Fairborn High School Chamber Choral, under the direction of Karen Goretta, offered a performance at the latest regular school board meeting.

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News The Fairborn High School Chamber Choral, under the direction of Karen Goretta, offered a performance at the latest regular school board meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0746.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News The Fairborn High School Chamber Choral, under the direction of Karen Goretta, offered a performance at the latest regular school board meeting.

District leaders praised the Fairborn High School Band for their efforts during the fall season.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0780.jpgDistrict leaders praised the Fairborn High School Band for their efforts during the fall season.

Exiting Board President Tess Little and exiting Board Vice President Roland Parks.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0806.jpgExiting Board President Tess Little and exiting Board Vice President Roland Parks.

Board Member Jeri Luce and Superintendent Terry Riley.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0805.jpgBoard Member Jeri Luce and Superintendent Terry Riley.

District Treasurer Nicole Marshall, exiting Board Member Michael Uecker and Board Member Andrew Wilson.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/12/web1_DSC_0801.jpgDistrict Treasurer Nicole Marshall, exiting Board Member Michael Uecker and Board Member Andrew Wilson.

Whitney Vickers can be reached by calling her directly at 937-502-4532, or by following her on Twitter @wnvickers. For more content online, visit our website or like our Facebook page.

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