Five Things to Know From Wednesday's School Board Meeting

The Ocean City Board of Education at its public meeting on Wednesday, but here are five other things from the meeting that might be of interest:

• School Board member Joe Clark reported that a meeting with the teachers' union and a state mediator is scheduled for Aug. 6. Members of the Ocean City Education Association (OCEA) have been working without a new contract since June 2011. Clark said he's "disheartened" by the pace of the state mediation process. "I know both sides are disappointed," he said. Clark said the board will work with the OCEA in advance of the Aug. 6 meeting in hopes of continuing negotiations.
• School Board member Tom Oves reported on three facilities projects that are nearing completion: a on the grounds of Ocean City High School, a landscaped and revamped courtyard at Ocean City High School that will accommodate students at lunch time during a , and the rain garden in the courtyard of Ocean City Intermediate School.
• The board approved an application to expand the School Choice Program to include the area of performance art for dance/fitness and instrumental music, with 8 seats for 9th grade and 8 seats for 10th grade (for a total of 25 seats for 9th grade and 10 seats for 10th grade).
• The board voted to go into executive session to discuss litigation — including one case involving sending agreements for the Longport School District and Atlantic City School District.
• The board renewed transportation contracts for the 2012-13 school year with two companies: First Student for $615,185 for transportation to and from school and $135,000 (estimated) for school-related activities and Sheppard Bus Service for $45,855 for transportation to and from Cape May County Technical School.