GETTING THEIR RECOGNITION … Luke Arnold and Kirsten Bates are honored by the Swanton School Board after each receiving a National Rural and Small Town Award as part of the 2023 College Board National Recognition Program. Also pictured is Swanton High School Principal Jason Longbrake.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Swanton School Board heard reports on a variety of topics Wednesday as the school year gets in motion.
Melanie Voight, whose son attends Swanton High School, again brought up the idea of starting a boys’ volleyball club. She previously floated the idea at the board’s May meeting.
Voight previously stated six boys were needed to play, with 10-15 being enough for a full team. At Wednesday’s meeting, she reported her son had put together a list of 22 boys who were seriously interested in the sport, several of whom indicated it would be their primary sport.
She also reported Anthony Wayne, Scott, Springfield, and Perrysburg high schools all have teams, and that staff involved in Anthony Wayne’s program would be willing to help Swanton put its program together.
Swanton Superintendent Chris Lake was concerned the program would pull players away from the existing baseball and track programs.
Voight agreed to provide the interested students’ names to Lake and Athletic Director Wade Haselman.
BUS DRIVER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The board voted to renew a substitute bus driver incentive program intended to attract more drivers.
Participants who successfully complete the training and licensing required to become bus drivers and drive at least 40 hours for the school will receive a $500 bonus.
It was also announced that the newest substitute driver was none other than Lake himself, although he made it clear he would not be receiving the bonus even if he qualified.
The buses themselves will be inspected by the Ohio Highway Patrol at the end of the month.
OTHER BUSINESS
Phase two of the security system upgrade work funded by an Ohio Facilities Construction Commission grant has been completed, including roughly 200 new cameras with twice the resolution of the old system.
The board recognized students Luke Arnold and Kirsten Bates for each receiving a National Rural and Small Town Award as part of the 2023 College Board National Recognition Program.
BREHMER RECOGNITION
Math teacher Kyle Borer was recognized in a written report for receiving Best Practice Award for the Northwest Ohio Region from the Ohio Middle Level Association.
The board approved an early December graduation for Nataley Smith so she can begin her career as an EMT and firefighter for the Village of Swanton.
The board approved receipt of just under $2,900 in donations for the high school, athletic fund, general fund, baseball/softball complex, and other purposes.
The board approved a correction to the contract of treasurer Sheila Horseman to ensure she is paid for her first 11 days of work after she started the position early due to an early departure of the prior treasurer.
The public portion of the meeting ended when the board went into executive session for the purpose of considering a personnel issue, with no action expected.
Jesse can be reached at jesse@thevillagereporter.com