Greenwood celebrates positive end to 2020-2021 school year

The June 9 meeting of the Bement school board, appreciation to departing administrators was conveyed along with thanks to staff and students for getting the district through the year of COVID-19 without missing any school days due to the pandemic.

Superintendent Sheila Greenwood, who will retire at the end of the month, was pleased to see restrictions ease enough to allow some mask less outdoor celebrations to end the school year.

Her last day was one of the best as she saw some of their smiles for the first time all year despite it being bittersweet for her.

Greenwood and Steve Cline, retiring Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, were given honorary diplomas and cake was served cake following the meeting.

Cline expressed gratitude for the four years he spent at Bement, saying the time there reinvigorated his passion for education.

While Greenwood won’t be working in the district to see it, she anticipates 2021-22 will be one to celebrate for the school district.

Things taken for granted and not able to do this year such as assemblies and field trips, having P.E. classes, students working together, things like these and more should all be back.

Bement will hire an interim superintendent in August for next school year. DeLand-Weldon school chief Amanda Geary will be handling that role in July.

This will give the board time to find the right interim for the 2021-22 school year Greenwood commented. A meeting in early August will be held to hire an interim for her position, and Dr. Bill Phillips, a search consultant, will begin the process for the next superintendent in August too.

Greenwood stated how pleased she was with building enhancements that have been completed during her nine years as superintendent including the latest being a boiler replacement to be done this summer. She also referenced the addition of wireless internet districtwide, new LED lighting, added security for sports fields and better energy-use contracts as facilities accomplishments in recent years.

She is immensely proud of the STEM lab that was installed, as well as the Chromebooks for everyone effort that has resulted in all students having their own computer to use.

The outgoing administrator also thanked students and staff for their help, especially this school year as they handled it like champs.

Board members in turn thanked Greenwood for her fiscal management, as she took a financially struggling district and turned it into one that will have sufficient cash reserves as it begins the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Christy Sweet, the new elementary school principal and athletic director was also present at the meeting. She has moved to Bement and stated she is excited and ready to get going.

Uniforms

Cline stated the new middle school uniforms had arrived, but the color was wrong. They were more of a magenta color instead of the varsity purple as ordered. The company will replace them according to Greenwood, but not until July when the correct color pigment will be available.

New uniforms had to be ordered since Bement will host middle school sports beginning this fall under the new cooperative sports agreement with Cerro Gordo.

Hall of Fame

William (Bill) F. Tracy II and Stephen Rittenhouse have been elected to the Bement High School Hall of Fame. They will be formally honored this fall during the school’s homecoming.

Tracy is a 1965 BHS grad, while Rittenhouse graduated in 1963.

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee recommended the nominees, which were approved by the school board on June 9.

The board also appointed delegates to the selection committee: Brandi (Lawson) Garlutzo, Class of 1995; Julie (Walsh) Breuning, Class of 1997; Curt Fogerson, Class of 1988; Sue Clark, Class of 1975; Emily Lietz, Class of 1998; Nikki Mann, Class of 1994 and Carolyn Thompson, Class of 1979.