PERSONNEL MATTERS … Superintendent Josh Clark shares contract renewal information with the Board. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
On Monday, May 8, 2023, the Pettisville Board of Education met for its regular May meeting in the school’s conference room with all board members present.
Following an executive session for the purpose of employment, it was announced that the school district, in conjunction with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, will be adding a School Resource Officer to its 2023-2024 Staff.
Recently retired Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser will be taking on the new role. According to Superintendent Josh Clark, this is the first time the district has had a school resource officer.
The school will be developing the job description along with Schlosser in the next few months and he will begin at the start of the next school year.
Consent agenda items that were discussed during the meeting included:
Approval of minutes from the April 2023 meeting, acceptance of the financial reports presented by the treasurer, and payment of bills as submitted for approval.
Personnel items for approval: Sarah Carper, Aide, for the 2023-2024 school year; Kenzie Stickley, Bus Driver for the 2023-2024 school year; 12-week maternity leave for Danielle Vocke; 12-week maternity leave for Abby Pennington; and approval of Chad Kruse as a substitute bus driver.
Approval of Pettisville School’s Summer Custodial staff: Griffin Eash (student), Lily Wiemken (student), Chloe Clutter (student), Quinn Stickley (student), Elsa Alencastro and Jessica Moyer.
The agenda also addressed the non-renewal of various supplemental contracts as well as the approval of contracts for the 2023-2024 school year.
Contracts for Certified Staff: Abby Pennington, Dacoda Hinegardner, Shannon Saffell, Greg Waidelich, Sydney Wagenhauser, Nate Kester, Steve Hastings, Joe Delphia, Danielle Vocke, Lacee Miller, and Myra Frazer.
Contracts for support staff include Lisa Anaya, Shawn Liechty, and Sandy Blackwood.
A list of 41 seniors was presented to the Board for graduation approval as they had met all requirements established by the State of Ohio.
Before handing the comments over to the high school principal, Superintendent Clark noted, “This is a great group, a phenomenal group of leaders…they will be greatly, greatly missed.”
High School Principal Adam Wagner added, “I couldn’t have asked for a better class coming in.”
The Consent Agenda also addressed the disposal of older curriculum, various Policy Updates, and also moving the June regular Board meeting to June 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Upon reading of the Consent Agenda, all items were approved by the Board as presented.
Treasurer Chris Lee then proceeded with his report. Lee noted that the income tax receipts came in for the quarter ending April 30 at $187,792.00 which was a 22 % increase from the same time in 2022.
Lee then presented the most recent five-year forecast for the district indicating that he was very optimistic as there was nothing “in the red.”
It was noted that the projected income from the five-year forecast had increased largely due to the new formula of the Fair School Funding plan as released by the Governor in January. “It was very good to us with a nice increase in revenue,” Lee commented.
It was further explained that the House of Representatives version of the Fair School Funding budget was even better.
“It was actually quite staggering the numbers that it brings into our district,” said Lee.
Lee continued, “For the forecast then, I chose to use the Governor’s budget numbers in our state aid.”
“Just being a little more conservative. If the House version passes through the Senate “as is” and is signed by the Governor, obviously we are going to be in even better shape than what this (five-year forecast) shows.”
“This is the second time in my career that I’ve submitted a forecast that didn’t have any red on it. A lot can happen in the last two years to change this forecast and that probably will happen, but right now this shows you where we are at.”
Lee shared that he doesn’t usually get excited this early about budget numbers because there’s a lot that can happen between the Governor’s version and June 30, when the legislature passes the final version, but “across the state, there’s a lot of excitement about the Fair School Funding plan and the bipartisan push to continue the phase-in, so I think we have a reason to be optimistic.”
The treasurer’s report was approved by Board members.
In administrative reports, Elementary Principal Jason Waldvogel shared with the Board that testing is finally finished.
He also provided updates on the Response to Intervention team, screening software for the new dyslexia mandate, and upcoming IEP meetings.
The Sweetheart Dance (Daddy/Daughter) and Glow Bowling (Mom/Son) were a success with approximately 82% of students attending one of the events.
The 2nd Grade Consumer Fair, which was brought back after a hiatus due to COVID, was also successful with $2,008.30 raised.
Proceeds were donated to “Skylar Strong.” Skylar is a 2nd grader at Patrick Henry who has a rare brain cancer.
Upcoming PES Activities and events include May 9 – STEAM Night and May 15-19 End of the Year Celebration Week. Also in May, there are several field trips planned: Kindergarten – Harrison Lake; Grade 1 – Wildwood Metropark; Grade 2 – Imagination Station; Grade – 3 – Sauder’s Village; Grade 4 – Fulton County Museum and Grades 5 and 6 will be attending Camp Palmer.
In the high school report, Principal Wagner noted that the high school was also finished with State testing and he expects a quick turnaround on the results. AP testing is also complete, and those results are anticipated to come in July.
High school concerts Noteworthy and Jazz Band were held on Sunday, May 7. The High School Concert will be on Monday, May 15, and Jr. High Concert will be on Tuesday, May 16.
The 2nd&7 reading program will be wrapping up for the year. Over the past school year, the Senior athletes have been reading books received from the 2nd&7 foundation to second graders.
Wagner noted, “It’s been a neat little program and hopefully it’s something that we can expand as we go into next year.”
It was also shared by Wagner that on Friday, May 5, High school math teacher, Mr. Waidelich accompanied some of his students to the Albion College (MI) Moore Math Marathon and Pettisville won the small school division of the event.
Upcoming PHS Activities and Events include May 12 – Pettisville Idol, May 12 – Senior’s Last Day, May 15 – High School Concert, May 16 – Jr. High Concert, May 18 – High School Awards Day, May 21 – Graduation.
The next Pettisville Board of Education meeting will be held on June 8, 2023, at 8:00 pm in the school Conference room.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com