Marietta City Schools custodian Troy Lee, left, accepts the Focused and Fierce Award from district Superintendent Mary Schaeffer, right, during the regular board of education meeting Monday evening. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Marietta City Schools Board of Education approved an administrative contract for a director of secondary systems and students pathways roadmap during the regular board meeting on Monday night.

The position, filled by Bernie Boice, was recommended by Superintendent Mary Schaeffer. Before the one-year contract (which can be reapproved for a second year) was approved, Board Member Taylor Huffman asked about the offset of the position.

“When you talk about an offset with the position that I’m recommending to the board, it’s a necessity for our students and their future, so I feel like it’s a worthy investment,” said Schaeffer.

The contract was approved at a rate of $85,554 beginning Aug. 1 for the upcoming school year.

Schaeffer said there has been a need for this position based on what she has seen in other districts she’s visited in Southeast Ohio. The position has been referred to as “success navigators” or “career coordinators” in other districts Schaeffer described, such as New Lexington.

Marietta City Schools Board of Education member Chris Fennell, left, custodian Troy Lee, middle, and Superintendent Mary Schaeffer, right, pose for a photo during the regular Marietta City Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening. Lee was recognized for the Focused and Fierce Award for his work at the district. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“Unless you have someone who can truly audit and look to ensure that our kids, whether it be (College Credit Plus) or (Career and Technical Education), that they’re engaged with opportunities … these are kids who can become easily disconnected,” she said.

She said the administrator would work with teachers and students to ensure that students aren’t “falling through the cracks.”

In the first year of the contract, the administrator would conduct an audit. During the second year, there would be a thorough and detailed plan for the district to look at when it comes to career pathways and opportunities for the students.

Huffman said he wasn’t doubting the value of the position but rather how the district could transition in the future once the audit and the plan are completed.

Schaeffer responded to Huffman’s question by saying the plan would put systems in place so everyone knows their role in the process of student success.

Marietta City Schools Board of Education members from left, Taylor Huffman, Chris Fennell, Superintendent Mary Schaeffer, and President Cody Parman listen during the regular monthly meeting on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“There’s a lot to understand … making sure that we’re educating our folks so that there aren’t gaps,” she said. Schaeffer said due to staff turnover, there are processes that can become lost in transition. The director of secondary systems and students pathways roadmap would identify those areas and create a plan to prevent those gaps from happening in the future.

Board Member Russ Garrison said this would create a “visible managing process” so as employees come and go from the district, there aren’t any connections lost in the transition.

“So this is building that systematic process to help it maintain itself going forward,” he said.

Schaeffer said it also would contribute to everyone understanding their role in the process and that role isn’t lost.

Schaeffer said she spoke with representatives at Building Bridges 2 Careers who also underwent an audit and said it presented gaps they weren’t aware of.

“It’s making sure that we all fully understand what our role is in helping students be successful,” said Schaeffer. “We have wonderful people who are working hard, but this would help make a very clear pathway for all of us so that it can be more effective.”

Former MCSD board member and current member on the board for the Washington County Career Center Eric Reed also presented general updates.

“This year we’re looking at about 560 students including 20 to 25 sophomores, so I think the career center would arguably be the largest high school in the county,” said Reed.

He said they’re working on implementing more CCP opportunities for students.

“Just generally speaking, things are very good at the career center,” he said. “Kids are finding this path more favorable (compared to college).”

Reed said the partnership the career center has with MCSD continues to be complementary.

The board of education will meet for its next regular monthly meeting at 6 p.m. July 27 at 111 Academy Drive.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com