PRESENTATION … Fulton County Health Department Director of Community Education and Engagement and Healthy Choices Caring Communities Program Director, Beth Thomas gave an informative presentation regarding the importance of school-based prevention programs. (PHOTO BY LINDSAY PHILLIPS, STAFF)
By: Lindsay Phillips
On October 10, Wauseon Board of Education began their regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the board of education building.
The meeting was called to order followed by all in attendance standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
As first order of business the board approved Jessica Snow for a Wauseon High School Diploma after successfully completing all state and local requirements through the Ohio Department of Education’s 22+ High School Diploma Program.
Three guest speakers were on the agenda with the first to present being Healthy Choices Caring Communities Director and Fulton County Heath Department Director of Community Education and Engagement, Beth Thomas.
Mrs. Thomas prepared a packet with information she presented the board regarding underage substance use.
Thomas had lots of good information about the decrease in tobacco and alcohol use, but also some not good news such as the increase in marijuana use among grades seven through twelve.
Another unfortunate piece of information that Thomas gave was the 71% increase in youth feelings of hopelessness or sadness that lasted two weeks or longer.
Thomas stated, “As caring adults in our community, we need to do better.” Some strategies she shared include screenings for substance use and mental health challenges, provide ongoing referrals/resources, and school-based prevention programming.
Food Service Supervisor Jenny Tester presented the board with a thorough report of the daily tasks for each of her employees in the department.
Board member Alice Allen stated, “The cooks work very very hard.” For the month of September Wauseon schools served 3,475 breakfasts and 15,737 lunches.
Chris Harben, Asst. Teaching Professor of Management at Penn State Behrend, was present over video chat and gave the board an introduction to their strategic planning in cooperation.
Minutes from the previous meeting were approved along with the treasurer’s report.
The following personnel items were approved:
- Rachel Wixey and Associates Substitute List as presented.
- Approve the column change for Julie McCaughey from M+15 to M+30.
- Offer one-year limited certificated supplemental contracts to Kevin Kreiner and Christine Zirkle.
- One-year limited classified supplemental contract to Lucas Schang as the piano accompanist for the first and second quarter of the 2022-2023 school year at step zero on the approved salary schedule.
- One-year limited outside supplemental contract to Noah Harman as the assistant speed coach for the 2022-2023 school year at step zero on the approved salary schedule pending all the requirements are met.
- One-year limited outside contract to Mason Ritter as junior high wrestling coach for the 2022-2023 school year at step zero on the approved salary schedule.
- One-year limited outside supplemental contract to Landon Schaffner as the ninth grade boys basketball coach for the 2022-2023 school year at step zero on the approved salary schedule pending all requirements.
- One-year limited outside supplemental contract to Barbara Figgins as the seventh grade girls basketball coach for the 2022-2023 school year at step eight on the approved salary schedule pending all requirements.
- Approve Eric Puehler as a volunteer wrestling coach for the 2022-2023 school year pending all requirements.
- Approve Kristopher Boysel as volunteer wrestling coach for the 2022-2023 school year pending all requirements.
- Approve Damon Molina as volunteer junior high wrestling coach for the 2022-2023 school eye pending all requirements.
- Accept Resignation of Blake Pitzen as junior high wrestling coach, effective September 20, 2022.
- Accept Resignation of Todd Gype as volunteer high school football coach effective September 20, 2022.
Following discussion by the board regarding the daily substitute teacher rate, the original $90 a day rate was updated to $125 a day.
As last portion of business, an overnight trip to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) class for the National FFA Convention from October 26 through October 28 was approved.
With no need for an executive session, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Lindsay can be reached at lindasay@thevillagereporter.com