Pictured at left is George Lucas, the outgoing Board of Education president, who served for 16 years, with a term in 1995, and then from 2008 to the present. On right, vice president Debbie Marques, who served from 2006 to 2013, and then again from 2016 to 2019. Both decided to not seek re-election in the Nov. 5, 2019 General Election. Emily Chesnut and David Meranda were voted in to fill their seats.

Students’ artwork, band recognized

By Brett Milam
Editor

The Milford Exempted Village School District Board of Education met on Dec. 19, 2019 to discuss a variety of matters.

– Nancy House, superintendent, and Robert Farrell, former superintendent, recognized George Lucas, board president, and Debbie Marques, board vice president, as this meeting marked their last. Both decided to not run for re-election. Emily Chesnut and Dave Meranda were elected in November 2019 to fill the seats.

Farrell said Lucas and Marques came on board at a time “when our community couldn’t have needed them more.” 

“They serve because they believe in this community and they believe in serving the needs of its children,” he said.

House added that Lucas and Marques have had to make complex, difficult choices, and have “shouldered critical responsibilities.”

“We applaud your combined 28 years of service as advocates for our children and the voice of public education,” she said.

Marques served from 2006 to 2013, and then 2016 to 2019. Lucas served for 16 years, with a term in 1995, and then 2008 to the present.

Lucas at the close of the meeting gave his parting remarks, noting how challenging it can be to be someone in public service trying to please everyone. He further added that he’s surprised parents would listen to outsiders who are pushing “propaganda for political gain at the expense of our children.”

He cited social media as the cause of distrust, referring to it as an “ugly mud pit.”

“I have no regrets, as I’ve always tried my very best to preserve and promote the growth of Milford School District,” he said.

– Students’ artwork was recognized, a tradition started in October 2018’s school board meeting. The artwork will be displayed throughout the administrative offices of the board, located at 1099 state Route 131.

This month, seven students from Milford Junior High were recognized: Eighth graders Savanah Bishop, Bella Brinson, Lauren Campman, Kira Hanna, Nevaeh Lynn; and seventh graders Emma Craine, and Lacy Hammond.

Also recognized was the marching band for placing third at the Bands of America Grand National Championship. Drum majors Brendan Grimm, Kylie Hicks, and Laynie Metsker were on hand to be recognized.

Dan Yeager, director of fine arts, activities, and assistant athletics, said it was a “pretty major accomplishment.” 

Yeager also recognized John Balzer from the band, who placed second in the rudimental snare at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention; he was one of nine students around the country invited to perform. Part of the performance required performing a self-composed piece.

– During public participation, Barabara Calton, resident, voiced issue with how the two-hour delay occurred on Nov. 21, 2019. The delay occurred because Miami Township police were searching for an armed man in the area, and the district placed schools on a two-hour delay. 

While waiting to get into McCormick Elementary around the end of the two-hour delay, Calton said she had some safety concerns.

“I feel more action needs to be taken for the safety of our students,” she said. 

She recommended a barrier be installed between the grassy area and the roadway in front of the gym. For the next two-hour delay, she recommended allowing students who were early to wait in the gym or front hallway instead of outside. 

House said each building has different standards about arrivals, and this was more of a one-off instance at McCormick, given the circumstances of what led to the delay.

Amanda Fox, who has four children in the district, wanted to share something positive, so she asked each of her children what they liked about going to school.

Her first-grader said his teacher Jennifer Weiler at Boyd E. Smith Elementary “makes learning fun and I can’t wait to go to school every day.” Her fourth-grader said running club after school.

Her eight-grader said he’s thankful to take high school classes while still at the Junior High; he also said Bradley Cunningham, his math teacher, was great.

Her tenth-grader cited Peter Leeper, and the partnership with Great Oaks to bring engineering to the students.