IN SUMMARY … Board President Jeremy Hurst summarizes the Precautionary Plan Overview following Superintendent Selgo’s report. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
On Monday, February 27, 2023, the Archbold School Board met for their regular meeting with all members present.
Superintendent Jayson Selgo presented to the board, a Precautionary Plan Overview that was prepared by himself and Fiscal Officer Christine Ziegler.
The plan that was put together is required by the Ohio Department of Education due to the district’s five-year financial forecast projected deficit.
The Precautionary Plan Overview begins as follows:
“On Monday, January 23, 2023, the Archbold Board of Education approved an Emergency Operating Levy to be on the ballot in May 2023.
The amount of the 5-year Emergency Operation Levy, 9.96 mills (2.7 million dollars), is the minimum amount required to continue operating at current levels without a drastic impact to the quality of education being provided.
This is the desired outcome of the Archbold Board of Education, as reductions to our programming will not meet the standards of excellence expected of our community, administration, employees, or students.”
“The district has been proactive in making staffing decisions while also evaluating each vacancy to ensure efficiency and appropriate staffing levels.
Many members of the district may have experienced shifts in their responsibilities as a result, and for that reason, the district has been able to minimize the increases in expenditures to some extent.
As a secondary review, the district requested a staffing analysis from the Ohio Department of Education. This report was received on January 27, 2023, and confirms that we are staffed at or below similar size districts when using the Ohio Department of Education District Profile (Cupp) Report.
Archbold Area Schools forecasted future deficit spending and since August of 2018 has proactively reduced.”
“Ultimately, when a district has limited revenue coming in and higher expenses going out, that only leaves two options.
Revenue sources must be increased, or expenses must be reduced. The desired plan is to pass the levy which would maintain the quality of programming at current levels.
The board is required under Ohio Revised Code 5705.391 to submit a precautionary plan to the Ohio Department of Education to address the shortfall should the levy not be successful.”
The Precautionary Plan Overview in its entirety may be viewed at https://www.archbold.k12.oh.us/schoolboard.
Also heard by the board were educational reports presented by principals from each school as well as by the district curriculum director.
Mrs. Andrea Thiel, Elementary Principal noted that 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration is currently underway and instructions for registration can be found on the district’s website.
In accordance with the ODE Dyslexia mandates, Dustie Vocke and Bridget Ruffer received IMSE Comprehensive Orton Gillingham Plus training in December and began implementing the program in January.
It was added that both teachers already see the positive instructional benefits in their classrooms.
Thiel shared that AES 4th Grader, Tobin Nafziger, won the Fulton County Spelling Bee (4th Grade) on February 7, 2023, which was held at the NwOESC.
The following Archbold Elementary Students were recognized for going above and beyond to demonstrate the “Live to Give” mindset at our monthly assembly on January 27, 2023.
-Kindergarten: Barrett Bowers, Joseph Gibson, Delilah Hammersmith, Tucker Trowbridge, Caleb Lewis, Kynleigh Rupp, Remi Beck, Isaiah Wiemken, Frankie Beck, Ellyson Stuckey, Kye Skiver, Evelyn Grime, Addilyn Bernath, and Evynn Stuckey.
-First Grade: Claudia Schmucker, Avery Evans, Issac Hurst, JT Rüfenacht, Walker Merillat, Colt Ruffer, Shiloh Verhoff, Maddison Marihugh, Carley Schmidt, Layton Stuckey, Brody Stuckey, and Kaelyn Waldfogel.
-Second Grade: Ember Stuckey, Kendall Gerken, Lainey Holdgreve, Landon Lewis, Palmer Schnitkey, Jazmin Murillo, Lucy Pollitz, Jax Smith, and Brantley Williams.
-Third Grade: Marley Livensparger, Monte Merillat, Allie Rollis, Paisley Frisby, CaleeAnna Schultz, Kinsley Schmucker, Quintin Quintanilla, Tripp Dominique, Joshua Williams, Clayton Yedica, Kennedy Ruffer, Dru Gansmiller and Corbin Spotts.
Fourth Grade: Camden Shultz, Oliver Lauber, Laila Lewis, Clara Krueger, Lyla Miller, Ashleigh Riley, Lexi Beck, Lucas Grieser, Eyan Krukowski, and Alex Zimmerman.
Archbold Elementary Upcoming Important Dates: March 27: 6:30 pm – AES Family Literacy Night with Archbold Community Library; March 27 – March 31 – AES Book Fair.
Middle School Principal Matt Shields noted that AMS Special Education Teacher Cody Ruffer had been named the 2023 Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award honoree for Fulton County.
This award is given across the state each year to educators making “extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities”.
Shields also recognized AMS Spelling Bee Champions Jack Weber, Corbin Hicks, Kaitlyn Liechty, & Avery Waldfogel who participated in the Fulton County Spelling Bee.
AMS Mindset Leaders were also commended for their job well done. This month’s theme, “An Attitude of Gratitude”, encouraged students to focus on the positives in their lives as a foundation for growth.
-Fifth Grade: Aubrie Wolf, Clara Wilson, Harper Yedica, and Tayvon Beck.
-Sixth Grade: Drew Taylor, Amariah Beck, Ava Jagger, and Maks Stuckey.
-Seventh Grade: Lucy Engler, Klaire Kern, Tate Peterson, and Tony Rangel.
-Eighth Grade: Katelyn Hancock, Jaylen Adams, Ella Yoder, Kate Brenneman.
In winter sports, AMS hosted the NWOAL basketball finals on February 4. The seventh grade boys’ basketball team earned a league championship, while the wrestling team placed 2nd overall in the NWOAL.
Individual champions were: Brooks Miller, Eli Farbrother, Parker Bixler, and Hunter Warner. It was also noted that AMS students raised $567 doing a “quarter pledge drive” in support of the Fulton County “Heartathon.”
Archbold Middle School Upcoming Important Dates: March 3-10 – Spring Book Fair; March 9 – Fulton County Quiz Tournament
Rounding out the educational reports, High School Principal Royal Short noted that Meg Mello, Sophie Rupp, Carson Dominique, Tommi Bok, and Olivia Patterson were named Northwest Ohio Athletic League Scholar Athletes. This award is given to seniors involved in a winter varsity sport with a cumulative GPA of over 3.5.
Short also shared that the District Mock Trial was an in-person event this year and the Archbold team did a great job representing the school! Receiving an outstanding attorney award was Haylee Valle, and receiving an outstanding witness award was Elizabeth Francis.
At the OMEA Solo and Ensemble contest, the following students performed in the instrumental solo and ensemble: Class C: Elizabeth Francis, trombone – 1-Superior; Class B: Raegan Rutledge, marimba – 2-Excellent, Maddie Thiel, flute – Festival Class; Class A: Haylee Valle, alto sax – 2-Excellent, Annika DeLong, flute – 1 -Superior.
Lastly in high school sports, it was noted that Elizabeth Theobald qualified for OHSAA State Swimming in the 100m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke.
Archbold High School Upcoming Important Dates: March 3 – Choir Concert; March 10 – End of Quarter 3; March 31 – Junior Job Shadow
Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski shared information on upcoming state testing and also noted that the Junior Achievement program will be returning to the schools after a hiatus due to COVID.
The board approved the following consensus agenda items:
-January 23, 2023, Regular Meeting Minutes.
-January 23, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
-January 2023 Financial Reports.
-February 22, 2023, Special Meeting Minutes.
-Accepted the amounts and rates determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certify them to the County Auditor.
-Donation from Short Funeral Home and Terry Henricks CDJR to the Archbold Athletic Program allowing students to attend basketball events free of charge.
-Precautionary Plan as presented.
-Overnight trip to Columbus for State FFA Spring SKills Contests for March 24, 2023.
-Overnight trip to Columbus for State Meat Judging on April 28, 2023.
-Overnight trip to Columbus for State FFA Convention on May 3, 4, & 5, 2023.
-Continued membership to the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2023-2024 school year.
-Overnight trip to Cincinnati for the varsity baseball team for March 16-17, 2023.
Additionally, in personnel recommendations, the board approved:
-The paraprofessional substitute list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2022-2023 school year as presented.
-One-year supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.
-One-year contract for Katelyn Short as a Classified Substitute for the 2022-2023 school year, effective February 2, 2023.
-Accepted the retirement resignation of Robin Wyse, effective March 31, 2023.
-One-year supplemental contract for Austin Schaffner as a track coach for the 2022-23 school year.
-Accepted the retirement resignation of Susan Ruffer, effective May 25, 2023.
-Michael Short as a 7-8th grade track volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year.
-Hailey Wooley as a 7-8th grade track volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year.
-Jonah Figgins as a high school track volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year.
-One-year contract for Heather Stoner as a Classified Substitute for the 2022-2023 school year, effective January 5, 2023.
-Substitute teacher list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2022-2023 school year as presented.
The board then went into executive session to discuss the employment, compensation, promotion, or demotion of public employees. No action was taken.
The next Archbold School Board meeting will be held on March 20, 2023.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com
