The Bellefontaine Board of Education recognized academic excellence during their monthly meeting Monday night.

The board announced the recipients of the 20 Board of Education Scholarships.

The scholarships, amounts, awardees, and institutions of choice are listed below:

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Sophie Adelsberger – Ohio University
Daughter of Eric and Krista Adelsberger

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $1,000.00
Andrew Phillips – Rhodes State College
Son of Brody and Kelli Phillips

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Katelyn Crabill – University of Akron
Daughter of Andy and Jami Crabill

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Tristen Jacobs – Ohio Northern University
Son of Rickie and Megan Jacobs

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Lily Palmer – University of Cincinnati
Daughter of Gretchen Creviston and Rob Palmer

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Audrie Sellars – Ball State University
Daughter of Daniel and Shelby Sellars

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Jaxon Sopher – The Ohio State University
Son of Jeremy and Jamie Sopher

Board of Education Academic Scholarship - $500.00
Max Varner – University of Findlay
Son of Randy and Jodi Varner

BHS Alumni & Friends Scholarship - $100.00
Aiden Mifsud – Ohio University
Son of Vincent and Maureen Mifsud

Robert L. & Helen E. Ginn Memorial Scholarship - $300.00
Jah’Kyren Mundy – The Ohio State University
Son of James and Jannine Mundy

Hess Collins Family Scholarship - $500.00
Corbin Baker – The Ohio State University
Son of Brian and Tracie Baker

Hess Collins Family Scholarship - $500.00
Aubrey Hudson – Bluffton University
Daughter of Lisa Daniels and Devin Hudson

Hess Collins Family Scholarship - $500.00
Nathan Wallace – The Ohio State University
Son of Nick and Angie Wallace

Effie Patterson Memorial Scholarship - $500.00
Landon Kelley – Purdue University Global
Son of Gary and Lori Kelley

Pepsi Leadership Scholarship - $1,250.00
Maggie Howard – The Ohio State University
Daughter of Thomas and Sara Howard

Pepsi Leadership Scholarship - $1,250.00
Carter Snapp – Ohio Northern University
Son of Kerry and Lisa Snapp

McKenzie Lené Rife Scholarship - $1,000.00
Donated to the Art Department

Monicha Simpson Memorial Scholarship - $250.00
Aiden Mifsud – Ohio University
Son of Vincent and Maureen Mifsud

James Stolly Memorial Scholarship - $1,000.00
Sullivan Ashcraft – Undecided
Son of Daniel and Meghan Ashcraft

Ronald H. Wisse Scholarship - $500.00
Julia Nelson – Ohio University
Daughter of Rick and Regilane Nelson

Two local residents addressed the board during public participation.

Recently retired Bellefontaine Middle School SRO (School Resource Officer) Allen Huffman spoke about continuing in his role.

Huffman gave examples of how his service at the middle school and elementary school has impacted students and staff.

Huffman has been the SRO for the last seven years. He retired on May 31st.

BCS parent Brad Flora spoke in support of Huffman.

Bellefontaine City Schools Superintendent Brad Hall then explained that the SRO position, along with many other positions, are currently vacant.

The administration is reviewing every expenditure because of the district's financial forecast.

Currently, BCS is facing deficit spending of $870,000. That number is expected to increase to $1.4 million next spring.

However, school leaders have saved about $700,000 through attrition and job transfers in the last few weeks.

Hall said the district will have another update about the status of the middle school SRO position later this summer.

Board members approved the temporary appropriation resolution.

A permanent appropriation resolution must be passed by September 30th.

In personnel, the board hired the following new employees:

Andrew Madley – High School Spanish

Zach Showalter – High School Math

Taylor Wayman – 5th Grade English Language Arts

Rachael Stacklin – 1st Grade

Rebekah Price – Food Service Worker

Mary Sidders – Educational Aide

The board accepted these resignations:

Melanie Antram Ingraham – High School Art

Brian Rohrig – High School Science

Molly Wimmers – Kindergarten

Elijah Woodruff – 8th Grade English Language Arts

Cheryl Harman – Educational Aide

Drew Jackson – High School Boys Assistant Soccer Coach

The board approved 6 extended days for high school guidance secretary Deborah Sheehan.

Two supplemental contracts were approved. They include:

Andrew Madley – 7th Grade Head Football Coach

Lindsey Maus – Middle School Assistant Cross Country Coach

The board approved 1.5 percent pay increases (on the base salary) for all district employees for the next two school years.

The board then went into executive session for the annual evaluations of Superintendent Hall and Treasurer Josh Wasson.

The results of the evaluations will be shared at the next board meeting, which will be held July 10th at 6:30 p.m. in the Distance Learning Center.

Photo: The Bellefontaine Board of Education meets in the Distance Learning Center.