Buckeye Local adding ag education to curriculum

NATIONAL COMPETITOR — Buckeye South Elementary student Brheanna Boyles received $500 from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to attend the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.. Boyles won the Jefferson-Harrison Regional Spelling Bee in March and is the district’s first national contestant in two decades. On hand for the presentation were Buckeye Local Superintendent Coy Sudvary and Susan Nolan, district bee organizer. — Contributed

DILLONVALE — Buckeye Local High School is expanding its course offerings this fall with a focus on agricultural education.

School board officials approved a move at the May 20 session to add the ag curriculum and hire Cameron Best as a part-time teacher on a one-year limited contract starting in August. Superintendent Coy Sudvary said more than a half-dozen students were registered but he expects the program to grow.

“It will be the first program at the high school since Buckeye Local consolidated,” said Sudvary. “We are looking to incorporate all aspects of farming into the curriculum, and with a large rural district and our heavy 4-H participation we felt the need to add the ag curriculum.”

He added that Best, a Buckeye Local alumnus, has the knowledge to provide pupils with the training, and having more than 100 acres on the school’s campus would provide students plenty of space to study and learn.

“Right now, there are about seven to 10 students involved, but once the class builds we will increase our participation rates,” he added. “In my conversations with Principal Luke Parsons, the area is filled with students who are working to manage, monitor and maintain farms and the school should be reflective of the community. Farming is one of the one of the Top 10 careers in Ohio, so it makes sense to begin a program with skills the students have and to build interest in agriculture in the process.”

The program will open up potential funding opportunities with grants available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other avenues. Sudvary said he sees myriad possibilities in partnering with local farms for internships and other projects.

“Students can monitor the soil and water, rotation of fields and animal genetics and STEM plays a big part in modern farming,” he continued. “It’s a career-tech program and there are lots of funding opportunities and in-demand jobs.”

On a related note, the school board approved an agreement with Vaza Consulting of Pickerington for grant writing and strategic planning, which will tie into funding searches for the ag program.

Meanwhile, the board recognized Buckeye South Elementary fifth-grader Brheanna Boyles, who will be representing the area in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Boyles, the daughter of Steve and Rhea Boyles of Brilliant, won the Jefferson-Harrison Regional Spelling Bee in March and is the first district representative in 20 years. She received a $500 check from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for the trip and the presentation was made by Susan Nolan, district bee organizer.

Among other matters, the board:

• Heard from BLHS teacher Luke Fabry a recent trip to the Cook Around the World Competition. Eight students including Samantha Ankrom, Kiarra Eastham, Skylar Ebright, Shayleigh Hornyak, Ryder Kinberg-Colabelli, Preston Lindsey, Nyja Short and Brennin Takach visited Disney World Epcot in Orlando, Fla., on April 26-29 while the contest was held on April 27. The event allows high school students to compete in a hands-on culinary experience and hear from top colleges and universities about career opportunities in the culinary, as well as professional chefs;

• Heard from Buckeye Local Junior High Principal Jason Kovalski about fifth-and sixth-grade tours of the building throughout the week as BLJHS prepares for the sixth-grade move this fall;

• Approved the five-year forecast and authorized the treasurer to submit it to the state;

• Passed a resolution to enter a one-year contract, with the option to renew, with Nutrition Inc. to provide food services to the district for the 2024-2025 school year;

• Approved a foreign language class trip to Spain in the spring of 2026;

• Approved the retirements of teacher Beth Altieri, effective May 31, and educational aide Margaret Omaits, effective July 1, and commended both for their years of service; approved the resignations of teachers Katie Beeman and Courtney Miller, both effective Aug. 16, and hired Sophia Ferrelli as a teacher on a one-year limited contract effective Aug. 19;

• Approved classified contracts and employed substitutes and a list of certified personnel for supplemental duties for the 2024-2025 school year;

• Accepted the members of the Class of 2024 for graduation;

• Thanked and recognized students and staff for their accomplishments this year, including bus drivers for their commitment to transporting students; Nyja Short, Skyler Ebright, Tatum Walker and Alex McDiffitt for being named prom royalty; the Buckeye Local Unified Sports Track Team who competed at Edison High School; Panther band members who were selected for the 2024 OVAC All-Star Band;

• Set the next regular meeting for June 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the administrative office in Dillonvale.