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Bethel Local board showcases superintendent’s first-year achievements, cites class-size, staffing and transportation changes
Summary
Board members praised Superintendent Mike Nutter for staff promotions, internal hires to avoid costs, a property purchase that freed classroom space, reduced double‑bus routes and a plan to lower class sizes; trustees repeatedly commended his leadership during a board showcase presentation.
Board members used an extended presentation on Aug. 12 to spotlight the first year of Superintendent Mike Nutter’s tenure and several operational changes the board credits to his leadership. The presentation, led by a board member, listed staffing reorganizations, a recent property purchase that created six classrooms and internal promotions the board said will save tens of thousands of dollars in onboarding and salaries.
The presenter said the district had moved from relying on trailers to using the newly acquired property and described a reorganization that created a 5–6 intermediate school, noting roughly 150 students and staff moved as part of the change. The presentation included projected classroom-size reductions "from around 35 students down to 23" in target classes and credited new routing software and acquisition of buses with eliminating double‑bus routes.
On staffing, the board highlighted two senior hires: Damon Smith as director of operations, responsible for transportation, food service, nursing and facilities, and Mark Wheeler as director of student services overseeing curriculum, special education and credit recovery. The presentation described internal fills for six positions and quantified cost avoidances for combining responsibilities (examples cited: roughly $80,000 and $42,000 for roles moved in‑house).
The board’s praise was explicit. One member said the superintendent is "not afraid to take on something new, not afraid to address issues head on," while another said the district has experienced a positive cultural change under his direction. The presentation also noted new student‑engagement initiatives ("60 Seconds with the Superintendent"), increased social media reach, and improved relations with Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base to support military families.
Trustees thanked staff and administrators, and the chair closed by encouraging the board and community to continue building on the progress.
The showcase was presented as an annual item the board plans to repeat.
