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NEW CUMBERLAND -- The Hancock County Board of Education took action Monday to ensure the county received clearance from the state Department of Education when it comes to some of its substitute teachers being in the classroom for more days than usually is allowed.
As part of the board's meeting held at the Oak Glen High School media center, members approved a recommendation from Superintendent Dan Enich concerning Policy GCGD, which establishes policy for substitutes in areas of critical need and shortage.
Enich noted this is action the board has been taking annually in recent years, with Chief Financial Officer Joe Campinelli explaining the reasoning behind the policy.
"Retired teachers are only allowed to substitute for 140 days," Campinelli noted.
According to the policy, in instances where substitutes go over 140 days, their retirements could be affected, unless shown they are being used in areas of critical need as designated by the county or state.
As currently posted on the school district's website, the policy notes areas of critical need to include drivers' education, foreign language, pre-school special needs/autism, reading specialists, special education, secondary English, secondary math and secondary science.
Campinelli, noting he is aware of two or three substitutes to whom the policy could be applied, said the county must submit its policy request to the state prior to the 140-day mark.
"We're about two to three weeks from that date," he said. "We want to make sure we get it to the state in plenty of time."
In other business, the school board approved a request from Little Blessings Preschool for the use of county school buses.
Director of Transportation Chris Enochs explained the usage of the buses is for individual events.
"It's something we've done in the past," he said.
The board also gave its approval to several personnel recommendations, approved an overnight trip for 19 students from Weir Middle and Weir High who qualified for the 2024 Academic Games Leagues of America National Tournament in Atlanta, Ga. from April 19-22.
Recognition also was given to seven students from Oak Glen Middle and Oak Glen High who have been honored as All-State Musicians, and to members of the Buckeye Mountaineer Conference Champion Oak Glen Middle wrestling team and OVAC Champion Oak Glen High wrestling team.