Windham – They did it! They graduated without the usual “Pomp and Circumstance”, the class of 2020 are now graduates of Windham High School. Windham High School seniors had a chance to experience graduation in a different way. Instead of the usual band, lots of family members and friends offering congratulatory hugs and hand-shakes, it was a quiet, intimate ceremony with a few family members. Each senior signed up for a set appointment, so their family could watch them walk and receive their diploma. They kept the groups under 10 and practiced social distancing.
The administration was able to get a videographer to video each senior as they walked on either May 15th & 16th. The video will be edited and posted on the school’s web site on May 31st, their actual graduation day. The graduation wasn’t what they had hoped, but it was the best they could do with the guidelines set by the Ohio Department of Education.
In board of education news, Windham Exempted Village School District was one of the districts selected for the bus bidding program. The district will receive $67,973.07 for a new bus purchase. The only stipulation was it must be a yellow bus, and not a van. The board of education approved the bus purchase. They also certified the graduation class of 2020, approved the students in the College Credit Program, and contracts for the 2020-21 school year.
A definite plan for next school year is still up in the air, as they wait for more guidelines from the Ohio Department of Education. Superintendent Aireane Curtis stated that they have been working on several options but do not have a definite plan as of yet.
The board received the news that the district was taking almost a $60,000 hit to their budget due to state cuts to the district. Curtis said, they have a couple of teachers retiring, and one that resigned and they are not planning to replace them. If the cuts become a trend, the district could lose a significant amount of funding in the future. The retires and resignations will help, but they are still going to have to trim expenses.
The district has received lots of donations to their student food pantry. Those donations have come from seniors, alumni and community members. The students and staff have been working hard and trying to make sure those families that need food are getting it.
The last day for students is May 28, 2020. During these last few weeks, the district has had some fun family projects to do. One was a recreated art show. The kids picked a painting and then did a live version of it with their interpretation. The winners will be posted on the district’s Facebook page.
Finally, the first year for the superintendent Aireane Curtis is just about in the books. I asked her, how it went. She replied, “I have truly enjoyed my first year in the district as the superintendent. I could have done without the pandemic, but it is what it is. I have seen first-hand the willingness of so many staff members, go above and beyond for students and families in this community. I’ve seen the support at concerts, sporting events and activities that show also how much this town cares for its school. I have met some really terrific people this year and look forward to meeting many more. I am proud to be a Bomber and am loving this opportunity to lead the district!”
