By CODY HOCKETT
Record Herald Writer
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BETHEL TOWNSHIP – Monday’s Bethel Board of Education meeting included several presentations of future developments and past accomplishments.

Josh Floor, from the business Energy Optimizers, USA, gave the board a quick summary of what has been added to the building during the recent renovation project. New HVAC systems have been installed in the elementary and high school buildings, as well as direct digital controls for the system. A new solar thermal hot water system has also been installed, along with many other “green” upgrades to the school.

These upgrades include PC energy management systems, water conserving faucets and lighting efficiency improvements. The $624,000 project should save the school an estimated $60,000 annually.

Board members Carl Bowman and Don Whittaker were awarded plaques for their outstanding service to the school and community, as both gentlemen will soon be leaving the board. Bowman has served 20 years on Bethel’s board, while Whittaker has served 18. Both men gave short yet sentimental speeches giving thanks to their community.

Bethel not only has to replace these two long-time board members, but also must prepare for the imminent departure of Jeff Cassell, the school’s superintendent. Cassell was present for this board meeting, his last, and gave thanks to the staff.

“It has been an honor to work with all of you,” he said of his 17 month period of service.

Another honor went to Kaitlyn Graham. The senior was presented with a $500 scholarship for her performance during the golf season by the housing development Carriage Trails.

Technology specialist Kevin Graham gave the board a detailed explanation of all the additions he is currently planning. Graham unveiled two new pet projects that he wishes to implement in every classroom. The first was a new USB camera system that would loop through the projector in order to reach the whole class at once. This system would be a virtual replacement to the overhead projectors still used at the school. For example, a math teacher could walk students through the process of solving an equation on paper, while the students watch the process on the display.

The second item Graham wants to implement is a USB scanner which would allow each teacher to make copies on their own without having to wait on the batch to return from the printing room. As of now, a teacher wishing to have a classroom set of a particular worksheet must send the order three to four days before they will actually need it in class.  This process makes it hard when a teacher wants to do an impromptu lesson.

Also included in Graham’s presentation were plans to upgrade and modernize the existing WiFi system the school has in place. His plans would allow for a stronger, more stable wireless connection so that the schools could begin looking at new forms of technology to familiarize the students with; such as I-Pads, new laptops or other electronic devices. He felt such lessons would better prepare the students for the world of today, in which many find that technological knowledge makes various tasks much easier.

Tim Zigler, principal of the high school, announced a grant of $20,000 from Ohio’s Advance Placement program. This program, which is state-run, allows schools to offer more advanced courses in order for high-school students to further their education, and, in some cases, these high-school courses allow for students to earn college credits while still in school.

The $20,000 grant must be earned with the implementation of at least two new advanced course offerings in the near future, and one may be on the course list as early as this year. Zigler also expressed his concern about the shortened schedule (students now only have seven periods, instead of eight) and how students would find the time to fit these new course offerings.

Students won’t have to worry about the safety of the gym bleachers, however. The board approved an inspection report done in-house that confirmed the bleachers are able to function dependably through the basketball season. The inspection is done every two years.