July 10, 2011
Northridge Local Schools
Principal axed, board member quits By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Acting quickly on a board request made in June to reduce administrators by one position, the Northridge Local School District Board of Education voted 3-1 July 7 to eliminate one of four principal positions. The district, which is consolidated on a single campus, operates a primary school, an intermediate school, a middle school and a high school. High school principal Jim Hall was terminated and
the principals were reorganized into one principal each for grades K-3, 4-5 and 612. Superintendent John Shepard said the high school had been served by three administrators and will now be served by two, including assistant principals. Hall, who was granted a three-year contract in 2009, had been acting as principal for grades 9-12. He has been with the district for six years. Board member Troy Willeke, who was not present at the June meeting, argued vehemently against the action, threaten-
ing to resign as a board member and ultimately doing so. Board member Jayma Bammerlin, who made the original motion to reduce positions, was absent. Board members Mark Dann, Lee Hatfield and Jeff Schrock voted in favor. Hall told ThisWeek July 8 that he learned his position was being reduced the day after last month’s board meeting. “It’s a sad way to end my career at Northridge, but that’s what they decided on,” he said. “I’m going to miss the students and the community members that I’ve developed relationships with.”
He said he has applied with other districts. In June, the board had asked Superintendent John Shepard and treasurer Jim Hudson to reduce administrative positions by one, explicitly giving the decision about which position to eliminate to the administration. About 20 teachers attended Thursday’s meeting in support of Hall and in opposition to the cut. Melinda Sherbs, president of the Northridge Education Association, read a letter objecting to the board action.
“Potential movements in administration will be yet another major destabilizing event,” Sherbs said. “Administrators set the vision for a school building and establish the tone for the students and staff.” Willeke asked Shepard whether he agreed with the recommendation that he had made at the board’s direction. “I also work with the board, and I understand they have decisions they have to make,” Shepard said. “My job is to do See BOARD, page A2
Dog-breeding business can legally stay open By JENNA GANT ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By Andrea Kjerrumgaard/ThisWeek
Allison Douglass (right) cheers for Blaire Warner after she was announced as the winner of the annual Miss Johnstown Pageant on July 5 at Johnstown High School. Douglass was named Miss Congeniality. First runner-up was Kaitlyn Sapp and second runner-up was Courtney Rose.
Blaire Warner crowned Miss Johnstown By JENNA GANT ThisWeek Community Newspapers
High school junior Blaire Warner was crowned 2011 Miss Johnstown July 5. The 16-year-old daughter of Brian and Beth Warner, she tapped her way into the crowd’s heart with “Girl for Rhythm.” “She’s a great tap dancer and showed her personality through her dancing,” pageant director Christy Bailey said. Bailey said winning the Miss Johnstown title meant a lot to Warner. “It’s a special honor for her because her sister (Brianna) was also a former Miss Johnstown (2008) and her mom was also a former Miss Johnstown (1985) so it’s an extra special meaning for her and her family,” Bailey said. Four teens competed in the Miss Johnstown Pageant held at the Performing Arts Center.
First runner-up Kaitlyn Sapp, daughter of Marty and Ben Sapp and a 2011 high school graduate, sang an Italian piece called “Time to Say Goodbye” for her talent portion. Sophomore Courtney Rose, daughter of Rodney and Emmie Miller, was second runner-up. Rose performed her own choreographed flag routine to Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun.” Sophomore Allison Douglass, daughter of Candy and Robert Harris, was named Miss Congeniality. Douglass recited a self-composed poem titled “We Will Meet Each Other Again Someday” for her talent. Previous Miss Johnstown winners 2010 Queen Katelyn Mansell and 2005 Queen Melody Rings as well as 2011 Miss Firecracker Makayla Fain also provided entertainment during the event.
Bailey said Rings and her father, Jeff Rings, helped coordinate the pageant. The Miss Johnstown pageant is a longstanding tradition in the community and one she’s “very proud is still around… “There’s not a lot of traditions left,” she said, “and this is one that girls who grew up in Johnstown look forward to.” Bailey said the girls were judged on daywear, talent and evening wear. “The ultimate goal for the judging is to find one girl with dignity, poise, charm, intellect and talent with the ability to represent an ideal American girl and our community,” Bailey said. Warner will represent Johnstown by participating in the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival later in the fall. The Johnstown Firemen’s Association and other local businesses sponsored the Miss Johnstown pageant. www.ThisWeekNews.com
Johnstown village manager Jim Lenner said Very Best Doodles owners Jackie and Angela Dismuke are legally allowed to keep their business up and running after complaints from a neighbor. The Dismukes breed and sell labradoodles out of their home. Their neighbor, Elizabeth Schwartz, on June 13 asked village officials what could be done to regulate the business. She complained about an occasional smell of dog urine and ammonia and and of nighttime barking allegedly coming from the Dismukes’ home. Both homes are located in Johnstown’s commercial district. Lenner said he spoke with village attorney David Wigginton this week about the problem and that nothing currently could be done about the situation. In 2009, Lenner said, the village sent the Dismukes a violation letter stating they couldn’t have their business at its current location. The Dismukes appealed, and the village’s planning and zoning commission ruled that the Dismukes could keep their business open. “The business was more or less approved in 2009,” he said, “but the property hadn’t been brought up to standard based on the zoning ordinance.” Lenner said he would send a letter to the Dismukes by July 15 stating what codes need to be met. He said the letter would set a precedent so any business that opens in the village’s commercial district would know the rules. Based on current ordinances,
A closer look The Dismules’ neighbor, Elizabeth Schwartz, on June 13 asked village officials what could be done to regulate the business. She complained about an occasional smell of dog urine and ammonia and and of nighttime barking allegedly coming from the Dismukes’ home.
Lenner said, the Dismukes would need to add signage to their property as well as an asphalt or concrete parking lot. Right now, the parking lot is gravel. “She (Dismuke) will have an opportunity to bring her property up to code or to seek a variance to not have to do that in front of the planning and zoning commission,” Lenner said. He said the Dismukes have already applied for a signage permit. Lenner told Schwartz during council’s July 5 meeting that the Dismukes’ business is within the law. Schwartz asked council how she could “go about getting a new ordinance drawn” that would restrict the number of animals one could keep in the village. Lenner said she could make her request to the safety and service committee at its meeting July 11. He said he couldn’t guarantee that a new ordinance would result from her request, nor whether it would pertain to the Dismukes if a new law were enacted. Council member Sharon HenSee BUSINESS, page A2
Treasurer gets new contract, but no pay increase By MICHAEL J. MAURER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Northridge Board of Education approved a three-year contract with treasurer Jim Hudson July 7, keeping Hudson’s base salary at $63,000 annually. The vote came following an executive session to negotiate contract terms. “I couldn’t ask for a raise when we’re not giving our teachers raises,” Hudson said. “It’s only fair and ethical that we keep that consistent.” According to data collected by the district during its recent income tax campaign, the district
treasurer’s salary is $26,152 below the county average of more than $99,000. Superintendent John Shepard earns $105,000 annually, which is $10,774 below the Licking County average. Hudson’s contract continues to include board payment of both retirement and health insurance, so that Hudson is not required to contribute to those costs. Such payments are called “pick ups” and are common in administrative contracts. “I would say that is consistent with 90 percent of treasurers and school superintendents,” Hudson said. Hudson said issues being discussed by district treasurers in the county include the implications
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of a current revaluation of property values by the county auditor. Although property values are falling, on average, school district income is not likely to be affected because of H.B. 920, which keeps the dollar amount of property tax levies at a constant value. As values increase, millage rates are decreased to keep collections at the same value. Conversely, as property values fall, the effect works in the opposite direction, increasing millage rates to keep the dollar amount collected at a fixed level. “We’ve met with the county auditor to keep up with the appraisals,” Hudson said. “That and the changes in the (agricultural property tax values)
are the biggest issues.” In other business following theexecutive session, the board approved extended day payments to the high school guidance counselor and to the district athletics director to prepare for the upcoming fall sports season. Hudson said the athletics director payments will be made from a dedicated athletic fund from pay-to-participate fees, concession income and private contributions. Hudson said the board would probably meet twice more in July to prepare an expected November ballot issue that would be a combination of income tax paired with a decrease in property taxes.
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