STUDENTS OF THE MONTH … (Front) Keegan Clifford, Emeria Alpaugh, Kaylee Barrett, Carmen Saneholtz. (Back) Austin Priest, Lilly Owen, Braxton Henry, Tyler Lockwood, Emerson Moor. Not Pictured: Kloe Salisbury – 2nd grade. (PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK, STAFF)
By: Anna Wozniak
The March 21, 2023 Montpelier Village Council meeting started at 5:30 p.m. with a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance.
Present were Council members Jeremy Clinger, Dunne Gambler, Shawn Owen, Patti Rockey, and Rose Holding. Nate Rose was presiding.
Montpelier Instrumental Music Teacher Mrs. Laura Zumbaugh then addressed the attendees, relating that March is music month.
Along with organizing musical trivia and spirit week themes, it was decided that this month’s board meeting would be used to highlight why Montpelier loves music, featuring Montpelier seniors Jamison Grime playing J.S. Bach’s “Air” Suite No. 3 on the trombone, and Rylan JoHantgen playing drums on a prerecorded video. Lastly shown was a video of a portion of the 3rd grade singing a verse of “Upstanding Citizen.”
The students of the month were then introduced and congratulated, along with the entire High School Sports Performance class taught by Anthony Coleman.
Coleman and his entire class were nominated for recognition this month for their hard work and commitment.
Mrs. Fackler, state champion Eli Fackler’s mom, took a moment to address the Board in thanking Anthony Coleman for his commitment to their children’s success.
He has created a culture on his team that is readily recognizable as tangible excitement in his students, and Mrs. Fackler wanted to be sure he was thanked properly for all of his hard work.
The legislators report included details on house bills for voucher expansion.
The elementary school report included details on the steps being put in place to ensure that 3rd graders at risk of not scoring well on state reading tests have alternative methods of success, as well as detailing how the graduation of their service dog Roger will be televised from the library at 4 p.m. while 4th and 5th graders are currently preparing for a math competition.
Mrs. Thorpe reiterated how outstanding Anthony Coleman’s team is performing, as well as commended Jamison Grime and Rylan JoHantgen on their performances.
The junior high will be hosting a musical on April 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the auditeria. Chloe Martin was awarded the F.B. Walter scholarship at the banquet.
Twenty-seven units of blood were collected this blood drive, which is lower than what they were hoping for. Anyone able to donate blood is encouraged to come to the school May 5th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
May 19th will feature a community lunch behind the school starting at 11:30 a.m.
Testing times for grades 7-12 will be posted on the school website for parents wanting to better prepare their children. School will not be held on April 7th, 2023.
The board moved to approve the minutes of both the February 14 and February 15, 2023 meetings as presented, and then accepted the financial report; which included donations from the Rotary, Thiel Construction, Becker Scrivens, Miller’s New Market Gas Pump it Up, Kim Supply, Athletic Boosters, Lawson’s Logging, and Dr. Joan Lawrence.
The board then approved staff recommendations before approving PO5223, which releases kids from school for a Bible based integrity course.
Conversation was held wherein Patti Rocky inquired about if there was a contractual way to seclude “nontraditional groups” from introducing programs like the one currently being approved, but legislation requires impartial acceptance of qualifying programs, as religious affiliation cannot be used to disqualify different groups from hosting a similar program.
A purchase agreement between the Montpelier School District and Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for special education services was approved, and Superintendent Grime was approved as the district representative for the Tax Incentive Review Council.
The senior trip to Cleveland was approved before the board entered into executive session at 6:34 p.m., during which they took no action.
Anna can be reached at anna@thevillagereporter.com