Lori Sebastian for Bethel School Board
District Accomplishments that Occurred during Lori's Board Tenure
2016
> Maintenance plan for upgrading and repairing leaky roofs
> Work continues on repairing the outside stonework or lintels of the historic building
> Plan for upgrading our older and high mileage buses plus new buses for growth
2017
> Opened 22 classroom state-of-the-art high school addition
> Clinic moved from 2nd story of historic building to present location to allow easier access for all students
> Established New Construction Fund - this was the mechanism that enabled the district to build the K-5 Elementary School and Athletic Stadium with no additional funds requested from voters
2018
> District implements Ohio Online Checkbook to provide fiscal transparency to taxpayers
> Hired a wellness counselor and contracted with the Miami Co. Sheriff's Office for a School Resource Officer
> Old high school cafeteria remodeled into classrooms
> After the negotiated BEA contract went to mediation in 2017, the contract was settled in the spring of 2018
2019
> Development of a district strategic plan
> Custodial services were brought back in house
> District implements software (Final Forms) for managing student and athletic registration
2020
> Accepted participation in the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee (OFCC) for future building projects. Further, by waiting until the fall 2020 to complete the agreement, the district became eligible for an approx. 80% state match (up from approx. 75% earlier in the year) which will save taxpayers over $3 million dollars.
> Bethel hired a consulting company to handle communications. A few years later, as the work load grew, the district hires a full-time communications director.
> During COVID, the district provided an ESC online option for students who wished to be educated remotely
> Implementation of new athletic website and ticketing process
> Board meetings were live streamed (YouTube) and online agendas provided (Board Docs) to promote openness and transparency with our community
> Refinanced debt of the 2014 bonds saving taxpayers over $3 million dollars
2021
> District holds graduation at Hobart Arena to accommodate growth
> Negotiations and BEA Contract Agreement settled
> Treasurer's office converts to an electronic purchase order process
> Guidance department implements an easy to use virtual guidance counselor office
2022
> Young 5s Kindergarten program implemented
> Bethel High School is designated a Purple Star School - recognizes military connected students and families
> Technology updated using ESSER funds; plan created for annual Chromebook replacement
2023
> District opens new 1,000 student K-5 elementary school
> District opens new athletic stadium
> Middle School bathrooms are renovated to allow additional privacy
> District hires a student services secretary to aid special education needs