Coldwater school officials say shorter lunch period curbs discipline issues

COLDWATER - A shorter lunch period to extend class time and better prepare students for mandated tests has greatly reduced disciplinary problems, according to school officials.

The unexpected benefit occurred after officials this year cut the lunch period from 42 to 30 minutes, Coldwater High School Principal Jason Hemmelgarn told board of education members Tuesday.

The high school office in previous years received calls complaining about students walking through neighborhoods or driving carelessly after leaving the building for lunch, he said.

The calls decreased since students have less time to wander, Hemmelgarn said.

Students previously got in trouble more often in the gym or weight rooms during lunch, he said. However, now many choose to stay in the building during lunch period.

Middle school principal David Kennedy said about 90 percent of his building's disciplinary problems occur at lunchtime. Students now get through the lunch line in 8-10 minutes, eat and have just 10-12 minutes to play in the gym, he said.

Hemmelgarn and Kennedy also noted they were happy with the recently added security cameras on the school campus.

"Man, those are nice," Hemmelgarn said.

The secretaries are pleased with how easily they can interact with visitors at the door. The system provides a good signal so they can clearly see and hear people at any door, he said.

Kennedy said his secretary appreciated the fact other office personnel could help visitors when she was away from her desk.

In other news, seventh-graders have received their Chromebooks and have begun using them in class, Kennedy said. They use the devices for word processing, creating projects, watching educational videos and submitting homework, he explained.

Eighth-graders should receive their Chromebooks in the near future, Kennedy said. Being comfortable with the devices should help students adjust to taking new, online mandatory achievement tests, he added.

Hemmelgarn said high school students should have their Chromebooks in about two weeks.

In other business,

• superintendent Rich Seas said the district was having trouble getting a strong signal for the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System. Sheriff's office personnel were looking into the coverage issues, he said.

Kennedy said the radios also are distracting when other entities perform transmission tests that are broadcast over the school's radio.

"I hope we never have to use it," he added.

• athletic director Eric Goodwin said last Friday's storms show the need for a new facility at the football stadium. Athletes had to take shelter in several areas, he said. In July, the Coldwater Athletic Boosters told board members about an effort to raise funds to renovate the locker rooms, concession areas and restrooms at the stadium. Goodwin said booster president Charmaine Bettinger plans to update the board on fundraising efforts at a board meeting next month.

• supervisor of student services Paula Byers said district personnel are still creating English Language Learners plans for several students. The district has 18 students in the program - eight in elementary school, seven in middle school and three in high school, she said. The board approved changing Tom Giesige from part-time status to full time to help with the program.

• treasurer Michelle Mawer said the district received $35,645 in casino revenue, an increase of $427 from last year.

• board members learned Julie Livingston joined the staff as middle school librarian to replace Diane Griewe, who retired.

• Hemmelgarn said Mark Bruns volunteered to be Leo Club advisor and Donna Fisher took the same position with the Key Club.

• board members accepted Natalie Kanney's resignation as junior high girls basketball coach and approved hiring Diana Obringer as elementary library aide and Tim Hoyng as long-term substitute.

• board members approved contracts for Jessica Otte as assistant swim coach, Gail Hartings as junior high girls basketball coach and Natalie Kanney as a volunteer high school girls basketball coach.