WE ARE GOING TO BE OK … Treasurer Kinsman presents the updated five-year forecast.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, May 20, the Archbold School Board met for its regular monthly meeting in the High School Media Center with board members Gina Benecke, Skeat Hug, Tyson Stuckey, and Jeremy Hurst in attendance while board member Karen Beck was absent.
Also, on hand representing the district’s administrative team were Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel, Middle School Principal Matt Shields, High School Principal Royal Short, Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman, and Superintendent Jayson Selgo.
After accepting the agenda, the Board set aside time to hold a public meeting regarding the reemployment of teachers Dina Gladieux and Kevin K. Miller who submitted notices of retirement resignations to the district earlier in the year.
The board then heard the latest elementary news from Principal Thiel who shared that the 3rd-grade students put on a wonderful performance during their May 9 musical, “A Small Part of the World.”
The 4th-grade students will be presenting an art and music show later in the week as well as their annual Wax Museum presentation, an event where students dress in character as notable citizens from Ohio and share with guests interesting historical facts based on their research.
Thiel also congratulated April Students of the Month who demonstrated the character trait of perseverance. Students receiving the award included Madelyn Krill, Jessa Meyer, Calvin Steingass, Jera Bernath, Xavier Rodriguez, DeLaney Bowers, Alden Crites, Makenna Burkholder, Alena Spotts, Ty Wyse, Paisley Frisby, Andres Mireles, Beck Brennan, Liam Kurtz, Isaac King, Mila Mireles, Anthony Garcia, Mila Gors, Baden Ruffer, Ty Ruffer, Josie Sensenig, Mason Yoder, Kennedy Ruffer, Ginneva Martinez, Journee Wurster, and David Iott.
Moving on to news in the Middle School, Principal Shields commended the Mindset Leaders for the month of April who demonstrated “Live to Give” characteristics. Those students include Charlee Gearig, Clara Krueger, Lowen Stuckey, Luke Beck, Collin Rodriguez, Caston Grime, Claire Bowers, Kemper Hug, Taylor Ruffenacht, Emmaline Hancock, Lillian Miller, Atta Jagger, Elijah Verhoff, Kadyn Pollock, Callie Guelde, Addi Robertson, Quinn Sauder, and Karson Schrock.
Also in middle school, 5th-grade students received tree seedlings at the annual Arbor Day tree-planting event organized by Mayor Brad Grime and Archbold Street Department Superintendent Jason Martz. That same class also took part in the DARE graduation.
The AMS Band and Choir had their final performances where Harrison Rohrs and Eric Voll earned the Excellence in Music Award for outstanding accomplishment for their musical talents in Band. Reece Bunke and Blake Vandenberghe earned the Fred Waring Director’s Award for Choir.
The middle school track team saw their final meet at Liberty Center where the girls’ team placed 2nd and the boys’ team placed 5th. First place finishers included Brynlynn Atkinson, Aubree Hurst, Kelis Pedraza, Emersyn Selgo, and Jesse Schumacher.
High School Principal Short shared that the Archbold Athletic Boosters and the athletic department will hold an Athletic Awards Assembly where 9th through 12th-grade student “Triple Threat” athletes who participated in three or more sports this year will be honored.
Those receiving recognition include: Freshmen – Ariah Bagrowski, Makenna Bickel, Parker Bixler, Madison Bowers, Brayden Garcia, Isaiahs Gracia, Jude Hudson, Blaney Huffman, Aranjer Krieger, Emma Kurtz, Brooks Miller, Adelynn Nafziger, Jessalyn Petersen, Willa Ruffer, Ryder Ryan, Irelyn Selgo, Remmy Speiser, Garrett Stamm, Courtney Stuckey, Logan Stuckey, Hunter Warner, Trey Weirauch, and Moses Zimmerman.
Sophomores – CJ Arroyo-Thompson, Charlee Forward, Brynn Hurst, Adison Kinsman, Mariah Mireles, Ethan Pacholski, Savannah Rangel, Rudy Rodger, Kobe Schrock, Makena Thiel, Bradley Williams, and Joseph Williams.
Juniors – Mason Bickel, Jayden Gensler, Kurt Krueger, Landynn Krugh, Grace Meyer, Jesse Nofziger, Alanna Pedraza, Broden Piercefield and Madden Valentine.
Seniors – Brady Bacik, Stephen Diller, Brennan Garrow, Jenae Kinsman, Lance Ramirez, Jerry Rodriguez, Norah Ruffer, Meghan Taylor and Emily Wyse.
Short also noted that 52 students from the senior class received honors at the annual Senior Scholarship Night held at Founders Hall.
In her report, Curriculum Director, Michele Bagrowski reported that in the most recent round of 2023-2024 state testing, Archbold students saw tremendous growth in several areas, and looking forward to the next school year, she shared the proposed testing dates for 2024-2025.
Bagrowski also noted that per state law, schools are now required to notify parents of state testing scores by June 30 of each school year and parents may access that information through the PowerSchool app when scores become available.
In the superintendent report, Dr. Selgo welcomed new staff members for the 2024-2025 school year and shared that independent financial consulting firm Rockmill Financial Consulting will be aiding the district in conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the district’s finances following the passing of the emergency levy in November 2023.
In addition to the regular monthly financial reports, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman also presented an updated five-year forecast and summarized the district’s financial outlook by noting “My general feel is that I think our levy was about the right size to keep us going but we will still have to monitor expenditures…I think we are going to be ok, but we’re still gonna have to keep an eye on expenses. It’s not a free-for-all all by any means – every hiring decision, every contract has to be evaluated.”
As a part of the consensus agenda, the Board accepted the April 22, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes and the April 2024 Financial Reports.
In financial matters, a three-year contract with Julian & Grube for Cash Basis Compilation beginning fiscal year 2024 through fiscal year 2026 at an annual cost of $2,600 was accepted.
Various fund transfers, appropriation modifications estimated resource changes, student-teacher stipends, and a then/now certification were also approved.
Since the last board meeting, the district also accepted donations from businesses and individuals in the amount of $4,040.00.
The board approved the five-year forecast presented by Treasurer Kinsman for submission to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the list of Class of 2024 graduates was also endorsed.
Also approved was a resolution declaring urgent necessity, waiving competitive bidding, and approving procurement to replace the 25-ton rooftop unit at Archbold Elementary School.
In personnel matters the board accepted the paraprofessional substitute list and substitute teacher list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2023-2024 school year.
In addition to accepting 2024-2025 one-year supplemental contracts for various staff members, the board also authorized Ryan Throne as a certified van driver and approved his contract as a classified substitute effective May 8, 2024.
One-year contracts were approved for Catherine Gribler as a Homebound Tutor, Jennifer Marihugh as a cook (6 hours per day), Peggy Wendt as a cook (2 hours per day), Morgan Leppelmeier as a teacher, and Erin Dixon as assistant to the treasurer.
Jaden Osterland was accepted as a student worker effective May 1, 2024, through the end of the 2024-2025 school year, and the hourly rate for casual laborers for the 2023-2024 school year was set.
The next Archbold Board of Education meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2024, in the High School Media Center and the group will begin meeting at 4:30 p.m. during the summer months.