Bexley City Schools board OKs meeting changes, JCC negotiations for use of athletic fields
CORRECTION: Because of a reporter's error, an earlier version of this story had incorrect attribution for comments made by JCC Executive Director Michael Klapper.
With new leadership and three of five seats filled by new members, the Bexley City Schools Board of Education is making changes to the way it conducts business in 2022.
The board voted to move its meetings from 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month to 6 p.m. the second Wednesday. The meetings will be held in council chambers at Bexley City Hall, 2242 E. Main St., instead of the Community Room at the district’s Cassingham Complex.
The board discussed the changes during the Jan. 11 meeting. New board members Jonathan Baker, Marguerethe Jaede and Joanne Pickrell were sworn in. In a 5-0 vote, board members Victoria Powers and Alissha Mitchell were elected president and vice president, respectively.
Relocating to City Hall will enable the board to accommodate larger gatherings with social distancing, Powers said.
“I’m grateful we can move to City Hall,” Powers said. “It gives us a little more space. It’s central.”
The board also voted 5-0 to approve a resolution for the district to enter into negotiations with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., on the use of the JCC’s athletic fields, as well as to start the process for designing and planning the development of space to accommodate school sports. The JCC would continue to own and manage the property but would grant usage rights to the district.
“It would positively impact the well-being of our students by creating additional practice and game spaces, ultimately reducing late nights for our student-athletes,” the board’s resolution states. “Financially, it allows us to develop an athletic facility without having to purchase scarce and expensive land within and near our community.”
The agreement will outline when the facility will be available for the district’s use, Superintendent Jason Fine said.
“It spells out exactly months, times of the day, days of the week,” he said.
Fine said when the agreement is completed, it will be brought to the board for approval.
JCC spokeswoman Rachel Flenner confirmed the organization and the school district are in negotiations but did not provide a date when the agreement is expected to be finalized.
“The Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus (JCC) recognizes that offering high-quality sports and recreation facilities to members and students is critical to community well-being,” JCC Executive Director Michael Klapper said. “For more than 30 years, Bexley City Schools, when needed, has utilized JCC baseball fields for practices and competitive events.
"In response to an inquiry from Bexley City Schools, the JCC Board of Trustees has agreed to work with the school system to explore further development of the JCC’s outdoor recreation area at the 1125 College Avenue location. The proposed partnership would entail expanding this area to include state-of-the art baseball, softball and tennis facilities to support Bexley City Schools’ rapidly growing athletic programs, JCC members and the broader community.”
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Bexley City Schools board OKs meeting changes, JCC negotiations for use of athletic fields
