NEW PARIS — National Trail Board of Education members and Superintendent Bob Fischer made it through the dense, unhealthy air drifting down from Canadian forest fires to their June 27 board meeting, where the main story of the evening was recognition of sports excellence.

Athletics Director Troy Ferguson had certificates for students earning 2023 WOAC Spring Sports Awards for their achievements in the past year, but only Killian O’Connor, Hannah Henderson, Ollie Mason and Maddie Harrison were able to be present.

In his report to the board, Ferguson said he is hoping to have enough freshman girls to rebuild the track team for next year.

“We don’t have a ton of kids, but we are quality,” he said.

Ferguson said the department had spent $7,500 on helmets alone last year.

“And all balls now cost $80 or more, although soccer balls actually came down in price,” he said.

Ferguson said that all but three coaches have been hired for next year.

“A new program is being used for the coaches — an online program that helps them focus on ‘the whole person,’ not just winning. It concentrates on the why of coaching and making the kids feel better,” he said.

He said the school will offer digital hometown passes again next year and that he has acquired an intern for next year, Paige Kobache, a 2020 graduate who is a senior at Miami University.

In other business, the board approved:

A job description for the newly created Health Aide position;

A Board Service Fund for the 2023-24 school year, not to exceed $2 per student or $20,000, whichever is greater, to be used to pay the expenses of board members incurred in performance of their duties, totaling $6,000 for fiscal year 2024;

A construction bid with Allied Builders at $79,775 in OFCC Safety Grant Funds for upgrading a fence around the playground and moving the current fence from the playground to the football field; and

Accepted contracts for teachers and other employees.

Board member Cindy Lee was appointed delegate to the Capitol Conference to be held Nov. 11-13.

The board also approved Joseph A. Denney as substitute bus driver.

Fischer said he is about to become licensed as a bus driver, and will fill in when needed.

“Not in my job description; I don’t even get paid for it!” he said.

The next regular meeting of the National Trail Board of Education will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, at the National Trail School K-12 facility (District Office) located at 6940 Oxford-Gettysburg Road, New Paris.