By Kathleen Leese
For Miami Valley Today
PIQUA — The Piqua City Schools Board of Education welcomed new staff during its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 22 and heard a review about plans for the new school year as well as learning about the success of the summer school program.
Assistant Superintendent Tony Lyons began the introduction of new staff members to the board by stating that they had completed three days of teacher orientation, covered curriculum materials and completed ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) Training in preparation for their first year of teaching with Piqua City Schools.
Lyons told the board, “We’ve got a great group. We’re excited to have them on board.”
The new staff each introduced themselves to the board and spoke briefly about their teaching specialty and why they are excited to join the Piqua City School District. Following their introduction, they were presented with a special Piqua welcome gift by Spencer Ford, the student representative to the board.
Superintendent Dwayne Thompson presented the 2024-2025 school year opening review with students scheduled to return to the classroom on Sept. 3. He said student enrollment continues to increase and it is expected to be higher than last year.
Thompson reminded parents, guardians and students as the school year begins that breakfast and lunch at Piqua City Schools are both free this year for all students and there will be no paperwork necessary to receive the free breakfast and lunches. There will be a charge only for students who want extra food or milk during the school day and for adult lunches.
Additionally, Thompson reminded all about Indian Days Open House; go to www.piqua.org for schedule and other information.
Thompson also reported bus routes for this school year are almost completed with a few routes still being determined as the district continues to enroll more students. Those needing more information on routes can call the transportation department at 937-773-1560.
Teachers will head back to school on Monday, Aug. 26, with an opening kick off day including a speech by the Teacher of the Year, and Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Aug. 28 being professional development days, followed by a teacher work day on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Thompson thanked staff who have worked during the summer to prepare the buildings for the return of staff and students and also the coaching staff and the music directors who have all been working to prepare for the new school year.
Thompson said district calendars will soon be delivered to Piqua resident mailboxes and will include information about school events including the Veteran’s Day breakfast and Senior Citizens breakfast. There will also be information about music alumni events included. Thompson thanked Emily Shawler for her work on the calendar.
Director of Student Success Kiara Williams told the board the summer school programs were successful, with approximately 40 children participating in the Careful Corners program. A summer program for third-graders allowed the students to improve scores on standardized testing that was completed prior to the end of the school year. It was noted that many of the students showed improvement with the additional help.
Additional summer school reading programs were held with one and a half hour tutoring for students. Williams said there were two groups of children who were in the program and she noted the Piqua City Schools Transportation Department “was amazing” at working with the program.
Curriculum Director Scott Bloom said there have been updates to some books for the new school year including anatomy and physiology books and other textbooks. He said there will be artificial intelligence training for Piqua School staff; the state of Ohio will reimburse the district for the training and a professional artificial intelligence instructor will train the staff. The program will train 60 staff per year.
Bloom and Williams displayed a three star banner the district received from the Business Advisory Council. Bloom said only 20 school districts across the state of Ohio have received the honor and noted this is Piqua’s second year in a row to receive the award.
Bloom said that the TOOLS program is also being implemented in the Piqua School District this year. The program will allow students who are interested in construction trades to learn more about that opportunity.
Mindy Gearhardt, director of student services, presented the gifted services district plan update and said there is “not much of a change to the program” this year, although she said they are working to identify gifted students in the district and prepare that program.
Spencer Ford, the student representative to the board, said the show choir is learning their first song for the year and that cross country will get started soon.
District Treasurer Jeremie Hittle recommended the board approve the in-state tuition rate for Piqua City Schools for the 2024-25 school year in the amount of $7,457.86 and out-of-state tuition rate of $13,489. In response to a question,
Hittle said, “Nobody has ever paid it (the tuition fee)” and added, “we have open enrollment.”
The board approved the tuition rates.
The board approved the calamity day alternative make-up plan for the district with Thompson noting the plan is in the event the district exceeds the number of calamity days already in place. Thompson said last year, the district only used three or four days of the available calamity days.
The board also approved the district process and plan for the identification and services for children who are gifted as well as approved established bus routes and bus stops for the 2024-25 school year.
The board approved personnel action for multiple positions and Lyons commented on the retirement resignation of William Cruikshank, BC-1 custodian at Piqua High School effective Oct. 1, 2024. Lyons honored Cruikshank for his work (at Piqua High School) “for many, many years. Thanks, Bill, for all of your hard work.”
The board approved the resignations of Chasity Bachman, A-4 Aide at Piqua Junior High School at the end of the 2023-2024 school year; the resignation of Carly Gray, R.N., B.S.N, at Piqua Junior High School effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year; the resignation of Andrew Hall, BC-2 custodian at Piqua Central Intermediate School effective Aug. 23, 2024; the resignation of Ashley Potter as part time bus driver and from additional duties effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and the resignation of Jennifer Richards, part time bus driver at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
The board approved donations and grants received by the district for the month of July 2024 including the Charles Skip Vosler donation to the Athletic Training Department for $500; a donation from OHSAA to the Athletic Department for $2,500 for hosting games; FM Station to the Wisecup Honor Garden for $100; Rieck Mechanical Services to Indian Nation Station for $1,500; Kiwanis Club of Piqua to the golf team for $2,500; Independence Day – Celebration Association (Band) for $250.
The writer is a regular contributor to Miami Valley Today.
