BELLAIRE — The Bellaire Board of Education finalized plans for high school graduation at its regular monthly meeting this week.

Board members on Monday approved plans for commencement to take place on its original date of May 24. The plans will be communicated to the senior class, according to Superintendent Darren Jenkins. They include a ceremony on the front steps of the high school, outdoors, for each individual graduate and their family.

“We will not have family gatherings. The Belmont County Health Department and the Ohio Department of Education have issued guidelines which we will follow,” Jenkins noted. “Because we will be scheduling each student individually, we will ask families to stand in the park because we’re doing everything on the steps of the high school.”

Jenkins added that masks will be worn by school personnel and recommended for others but not required.

The board also conducted a lengthy discussion of the cuts in state foundation funding for this fiscal year because of the budgetary shortfall in Columbus. Jenkins noted that Bellaire, like other Belmont County districts, will see state cuts before the current fiscal year ends June 30. Bellaire’s cutbacks will total approximately $225,000-$226,000.

“Currently we are expecting further cuts next fiscal year, which begins July 1, but have no official notification on the amount of those cuts,” Jenkins said.

In additional financial matters, the board approved the district’s updated five-year financial forecast from the fall of 2019. This update includes the current state cuts and the new collective bargaining agreement with the teaching staff.

Jenkins said the forecast shows a positive general fund balance moving forward for the next four of the five years of the forecast. Board members were cautioned that this forecast is simply a snapshot in time, with further state cuts coming next fiscal year.

The board also was informed that the high school’s iconic clock tower is in need of some repairs as weathering has yielded major structural damage. The board approved a motion of urgent necessity allowing the superintendent to commission a report by a structural engineer to determine the scope of the damage then proceed with those needed repairs.

A brief discussion was held with the board by its administrative team on what opening school might look like next fall. Jenkins noted no decisions have been made because the district is waiting on guidance from the Ohio Department of Education as well as OHSAA for fall sports.

The board closed the meeting by engaging in a lengthy and detailed discussion about providing special services to students with developmental delays in a comprehensive, legally compliant and cost-effective manner. Jenkins is working with the board of education and principals to develop a comprehensive service delivery plan moving forward.

Monday’s meeting was held in the board offices with social distancing regulations followed. The board will meet again at 6 p.m. June 8. It is a public session.