Kelly Van Order, a life skills teacher for the Wood County Educational Service Center’s living classroom,
expressed concerns at the monthly board meeting on Tuesday that cuts could affect the quality of
services offered to schools.
Van Order questioned one of the agenda items regarding possible suspension of full-time paraprofessional
contracts. She expressed her concerns about the quality of the services provided being diminished by the
proposed cuts.
"The paraprofessionals who serve our students go above and beyond," she said noting how often
they will provide school supplies and other items for the students out of their own pockets in order to
save money.
The change is among numerous proposals which are being implemented as part of a restructuring plan
approved by the board at a special meeting earlier this month. The cuts are being made in cooperation
through an agreement with the six county school districts it serves. Each of the school districts is
expected to approve the agreement at regular board meetings.
Van Order asked the board to make sure the workers receive the "quality compensation they
deserve" which includes continuing their insurance coverage.
Pat Smith of Wayne, who is one of the paraprofessionals who works at the PATHE Center for the ESC, also
commented about the insurance. She asked the board to consider all options in regard to the loss of
full-time benefits, including insurance for those whose contracts will be converted to part-time.
"We want to remain on the health insurance plan," Smith said offering to pay all costs of that
insurance, as long as she can remain covered.
Smith suggested her idea would be beneficial for all as it would lower her costs rather than finding
independent insurance, and would allow more people to remain in the ESC’s group policy, and would
theoretically help lower costs with more members in the group.
The board listened to the comments from both, and said they would take the issues under advisement. When
the matter came up during the agenda, the board unanimously passed the item without discussion.
What passed reads, in part, the board "directs the administration to provide the governing board
with case-by-case recommendations for the partial suspension of each ‘full-time paraprofessionals’s’
contract on or before March 31, 2011."
The board also passed salary schedules for the 2011-12 school year. Each one contained no increases over
the previous year.
The board took no action on hiring an interim superintendent following the recent resignation of Luci
Gernot.
Richard Schemmer’s resignation was accepted effective July 31. Schemmer serves as the ESC’s director of
instructional services and personnel. He also supervises curriculum, gifted, and programs for youth
locally incarcerated.
Warren Fauver, the director in charge of the Community Learning Centers reported that everything at all
10 center sites is going strong.
"The student participation is good and parent satisfaction is high," Fauver said.
He promised more details at future meetings.
Schemmer reported on the successful move of the alternative school from its former location to a new home
in First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green.
Van Order used the comments from guests section of the agenda, to voice additional concerns and ideas.

"You need to keep special education a priority for the ESC," Van Order said suggesting it
appears to her that department is taking the brunt of budgetary cuts. "You really need to focus on
how we can support the students.
Following the recognition, the board went into executive session for personnel matters.
While no action was taken from that session, the board will hold a special board meeting on Thursday to
review possible candidates for the interim supervisor position.
A list of possible candidates was suggested by the local school boards. Other names have been included
for review. None of the candidates are being asked to attend.