Brinson retires from S-OCS board

Sonia Brinson celebrated her last meeting on the Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Board of School Trustees after 16 years of service on Dec. 12.

Prior to being on the board, Brinson was a S-OCS employee, bringing her total years of service to the corporation close to 50.

"I do want to thank the board. You have been so supportive all the time," Brinson said.

The board reflected on Brinson's service, including her desire to have the ditch outside of Owen Valley High School (OVHS) cleaned up.

"I've always looked to Sonia for advice," fellow board member Jack White said.

"Similarly to what Kris [Sammick] said, Sonia, it's been my pleasure to work under your purview while you've been on the board. It's been wonderful seeing you advocate for all the students and staff from my level to any level below," McCormick's Creek Elementary School (MCES) Principal Matt Cazzell said.

Brinson was celebrated after with cake and punch, and superintendent Andy Cline presented her with a commemorative clock. Cline thanked Brinson for having a nearly three-hour conversation on what is and what could be for the district and taking a chance on him as superintendent.

"You've watched over me," Cline said.

"You are great people. You work for this community. I appreciate you so much, and I appreciate all our principals and our students, everybody. You do such a great job," Brinson said.

All of the seven board members were present at the meeting – White, Lizz Bixler, Rick Smeltzer, president Derek Morgan, Brinson, Chad Cooper and Mark Rogers.

The meeting started with Gosport Elementary School (GES) custodian Dale Brown being recognized for the You Make A Difference Award. He was nominated by maintenance director Jeff Mauder.

"Dale is dependable, knowledgeable, and most importantly, trustworthy. He gets along well with his co-workers and students. Dale is an asset to my team and to the GES students and staff," Mauder said.

Mauder then read comments from GES Principal Carol Watson, "Mr. Dale (as he has become known to his kids at GES) has become a true leader to our community and students at Gosport. He might look like a tough military guy, but under that exterior lies the heart of a lion and a true champion for kids. I have watched him grow, play and lead with the toughest of kids, and I have watched him gain the respect of these kids at the same time."

Two OVHS Air Force Junior ROTC cadets, AnneMarie Arthur and Maddison Moats, led the Pledge of Allegiance at the meeting.

The board first considered their consent agenda, which includes financial reports, claims, previous meeting minutes, and reports from food service, transportation, technology, facilities and building principals. Brinson moved to approve the request, and Rogers seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.

Next, the board considered approval for a $9,000 grant for Patriot Manufacturing from Conexus. Bixler made the motion to approve the request. Smeltzer seconded the motion, which passed 7-0.

The board then considered a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between S-OCS and the Department of the Air Force for the ROTC program. Smeltzer moved to approve the MOA, which Rogers seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Next, the board approved allowing the OVHS treasurer to share direct deposit information with Coca-Cola for commission, rebate and contract funds. This allows the funds to be received electronically.

The board also approved:

-Certified administrator stipends for 2025;

-Certified director pay increase for 2025;

-Certified administrator pay for the 2024-2025 school year;

-A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Centerstone for counseling and social services;

-A MOU with Hamilton Center for counseling and social services;

-A grant from the Owen County Community Foundation for a OVHS professional development conference in June 2025;

-An out-of-state, overnight field trip for the OVHS band to Kings Island;

-An overnight field trip for the OVHS girls' wrestling team to go to sectionals at Mount Vernon;

-Contract bus services through the 2026-2027 school year with an increase of 20-percent for the daily rate;

-Reopening position control number 12314, an instructional assistant position at Patricksburg Elementary School (PES); and

-A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) building maintenance agreement with Harrell-Fish Inc. for $157,640 for one year.

The board also approved the following personnel items:

Resignations

-Calinda Ennis, cook for OVHS

-Lynn Traylor, route driver 32 for S-OCS

-Brittnie Henry, Behavior Tech for S-OCS

Leaves

-Mike Robison, PES Principal, request for intermittent FMLA

-Jennifer Livingston, second-grade teacher at MCES, request for intermittent FMLA

-Gina Boyd, preschool teacher at Spencer Elementary School, request for intermittent FMLA

Employment

-Adriana Dow-Vaugn, instructional assistant/latchkey supervisor at GES

-Jacob Boling, instructional assistant at MCES

-Orion Gladson, instructional assistant at MCES

-Morgan Bewley, instructional assistant at PES

ECA Positions

-Hiring of Natalie Goodwin, OVHS assistant girls' wrestling coach

-Hiring of Dana Hauser, OVHS head girls' wrestling coach

-Resignation of James Hendrickson, Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) head boys' track coach

-Hiring Adam Smith, OVHS Percussion (Choral)

-Hiring Zach Turnbull, OVHS Staff Lighting (Choral)

The board will meet again for reorganization at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9 in the Mike Wells Memorial Board Room at Central Office, 205 E. Hillside Ave., Spencer.