By: T.J. Hug
The Village Reporter
In a busy evening, the Milcreek-West Unity Board of Education accomplished much over the course of its April regular meeting, not the least of which was securing top rate wireless internet service for the next seven years.
A contract with the Northwest Ohio Computer Association (NWOCA) was approved by the board. The organization will provide Managed Wireless Internet Access Service from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2023. Payments to the NWOCA are scheduled to fall in the following installments; Year one: $11,245, Year two: $11,917.29, Year three: $11,157.68, Year four, five, six, and seven: $11,006.21. However, with approved E-rate funding, the district will only have to pay thirty percent of those costs.
While not physically present for the meeting, Elementary Principal Laura Springer had submitted her report to the board in advance. In it, Springer informed board members of the success of the Jump for the Heart program, which charges students with collecting donations for the Heart Association. Hilltop elementary students raised over $12,000 for the noble cause this year.
As Principal Steven Riley addressed the board, he went out of his way to congratulate Jennifer Westrick, a junior at the school. More accurately, Westrick attends Software Design nad Web Development classes at Four County Career Center through Hilltop. It was through her coursework at Four County that she was able to qualify to compete at the National Leadership Conference, which will take place in Anaheim, California on May 6-10. Westrick will be competing in an SQL Database Fundamentals event.
Also in Riley’s report were a multitude of upcoming events to be held within the district, all of which involve either junior high or high school Cadets. They include the high school iteration of the Hilltop Relays on May 1, the annual fifth through eighth grade music concert on May 8, the high school music concert on May 14, the Junior High Academic Awards on May 16 at 2:00 P.M, the High School Academic Awards on May 16 at 6:00 P.M., the Physics class trip to Cedar Point for Physics Days, the High School Music Banquet on May 21, and the Senior class trip to Cincinnati on May 26.
The Junior High and High School Principal’s list of dates had one error on it, however, which was immediately noticed by Board President Sarah Carothers.
“Uh, isn’t graduation on May 31?” She spoke nervously.
On Riley’s catalog of dates, Graduation was pegged for May 29. He quickly announced that a mistake had been made, and that it was indeed May 31 when the senior class will walk across the stage. May 29 will be the last student day of the academic year.
“That one got by a few people.” Chuckled Riley.
Carothers had good reason to show concern. The board veteran has a daughter who will be among those seniors receiving their diploma.
“I thought I might have sent 125 invitations out with the wrong date on them.” Carothers sighed in relief.
A series of sizable donations was accepted by the board on behalf of the district. The Hilltop Athletic Boosters made a pair of offerings to the school, totaling $4,000. Half of that amount is to go to the track team fund, and the other half to the football team fund. A $1,250 gift was awarded by the area Lions Club for Senior Scholarships. Jack Clark donated $600 to the James Clark Scholarship fund. $500 was given by Bill Geis in order to put in a golf putting green. Lastly, Kevin Schaffner made a donation of $150 to the track team fund.
The board adjourned the meeting without entering into Executive Session. They will hold their next regular meeting on May 18, at 6:00 P.M. in the school library.
T.J. Hug can be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com