PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BECK … Former board member Karen Beck (center), whose term concluded at the end of 2025, was honored for serving on the school board for 8 years. Pictured left to right: Jeremy Hurst, Chris Ziegler, Karen Beck, Gina Benecke, Skeat Hug and Tyson Stuckey.
HURST … Jan Busdeker (left), representing the Ohio School Boards Association, presented Jeremy Hurst (right) with a Distinguished Board Member Award for 10 years of service to the school district.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, March 16, the Archbold Board of Education met in the high school’s media center for its regular March meeting with all members in attendance, including Tyson Stuckey, Chris Ziegler, Gina Benecke, Skeat Hug, and Jeremy Hurst. School administrators were also on hand to share their reports with the board.
With a change from its usual time of 5 p.m., the meeting began at 5:30 p.m. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda was approved as amended to remove an executive session.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
In his report to the board, Superintendent Selgo took a moment to recognize former School Board Member Karen Beck, whose term concluded at the end of 2025.
“At this time, I would like to take a moment to honor former board member Mrs. Karen Beck. Mrs. Beck was elected on November 7, 2017, and began her first of two terms on January 1, 2018.
“Over her eight years in office, Karen was a steadfast advocate for the students of Archbold Area Schools and the community.
“On behalf of the Archbold Board of Education and the communities of Archbold Area Schools, we thank Karen for her dedicated service and commitment.”
Selgo then introduced Mr. Jan Busdeker, from the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), who was on hand to present Jeremy Hurst with a Distinguished Board Member Award for 10 years of service to the school district.
Busdeker also took a moment to speak about OSBA highlights and extended an invitation to the OSBA Open House, which will be held at the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center on April 29, beginning at 5 p.m. Guests attending will have an opportunity to hear legislative and regional updates.
LEVY UPDATE
Superintendent Selgo noted that while the board authorized ballot language in January 2026 for a fixed-sum levy set for the May election, the district was later informed by the Ohio Secretary of State that the proposed language would be rejected.
Read more: Archbold Board of Education: Board Honors Service & Approves Levy Resolution
However, after an in-depth legal assessment and coordination with the Fulton County Auditor and the Fulton County Board of Elections, officials confirmed that the language will be allowed to move forward.
Selgo clarified that the tax levy appearing on the May ballot is intended to replace an existing emergency renewal that currently provides identical funding, and while the levy will feature an updated name, it is not a request for new money.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPORT
According to the elementary school report provided by Principal Andrea Thiel, there had been an increase of 13 students in kindergarten registration compared to the previous year.
Registrations reached 87 as of March 11, a total that includes nine new open enrollment students.
AES students nominated as Students of the Month for February were recognized as “Bluestreaks Best” for demonstrating the character trait of cooperation.
Kindergarteners honored were Bennett Morton, Jaxon Mull, Guinevere Brooks, Oakley Fry, Jett Rupp and Kohen Kossow.
First-grade students were Cooper Fischer, Weston Gors, Quinn Stuckey, Maya Plata and James Pollitz.
Second-grade honorees included PJ Brenneman, Sawyer Stuckey, Isabella Graber and Josie Brown.
Third-grade students nominated were Marcus Bunce, Ella Yoder, Henry Lauber and Tucker Trowbridge.
From the fourth grade were Macoy Miller, Apphia Verhoff, Carley Schmidt and Henley Wyse. Those recognized in the Specials and MD classes included Kailee Sortor, Dan Stevens, Remiah Beck, Finnley Boettger, Azelea Valadez and Pearly Houl.
All “Bluestreaks Best” students were treated to a pizza party during the week of March 16.
Elementary students took part in the Scholastic Book Fair from March 2 through March 6; however, due to fog cancellations, the fair was extended through March 18.
On March 2, students and their families were treated to a Family Literacy Night in partnership with the Archbold Community Library. According to Thiel, the event featured games, crafts, a snack and many reading adventures, and she thanked the ACL children’s librarian, Kenzie Keene, the National Honor Society and members of AES staff for ensuring the event’s success.
Archbold Elementary School has several upcoming events scheduled, including the Head Start preschool visit to AES on April 1 and the AES Spring Art and Music Show, scheduled for April 9.
MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT
Principal Mr. Shields’s middle school report recognized several February Bluestreak Leaders for displaying outstanding character according to “The Bluestreak Way.”
Fifth-grade students recognized were Kenzie Guelde, Jace Meyer, Abraham Sproles and Anna Sanchez-Marsh.
Sixth-graders were Will Yoder, Josh Williams, Adeline Spengler and Brinly Richardson, while the seventh-grade class was represented by Alexa Alt, Ruby Krueger, Shyann Rohrs-Hale and Tobin Nafziger. Eighth-grade students recognized were Kayla Benecke, Harper Yedica, Laila Hernandez and Nicole Siler.
The AMS Spring Book Fair took place from February 20 through 27. The event included a Family Night and generated over $3,500 in scholastic credit and materials to support students and the library. Students also celebrated Read Across America Day on March 4.
Ms. Whitacre’s BlueStreak Brainiacs completed their season on March 3 at the Fulton County Quiz Tournament, where both the varsity and junior varsity teams finished in third place.
2025 County Spelling Bee Champion Makayla Hite advanced to the Regional Finals held at the Maumee Indoor Theater on March 19, with the potential to move on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Mrs. Truck and 18 students from grades six through eight attended a Youth Summit, which included eight participating schools, focused on youth voice regarding mental health.
In AMS sports news, track practice began March 2, and this year’s team consists of 32 boys and 43 girls.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
High School Principal Royal Short’s report noted that students in Mrs. Oyer’s government classes are participating in a Civic Engagement Project where they identify community issues and develop public policy solutions to present to staff and community panels.
The Spring Musical “Grease, The School Version,” was presented by over 50 cast and crew members during the weekend of March 27.
Preparation for the April 25 “Rio de Janeiro Carnival” themed prom is also underway.
Eleven students will take part in the Mock Trial competition against Wauseon on March 30. AHS is also preparing for the Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon on April 24, which will feature a performance by the Company and involvement from various student activity groups.
The senior class will wrap up their final year in the district with a class meeting on April 24, a visit to Archbold Rotary on May 1, a Real World Simulation on May 7, Scholarship Night on May 18 and Commencement on May 24.
Other AHS events include a blood drive on April 21, Spring Band Concert on May 4, Awards Assembly on May 15 and the Spring Art Show on May 17.
CURRICULUM REPORT
Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski’s report noted that Ohio State testing begins April 7. Teachers in specific grades and subjects will complete roster verification in April to link their instruction to student growth measures, though this data is no longer a numerical rating in teacher evaluations.
Additionally, grades 6-8 English Language Arts teachers are piloting and reviewing new curriculum units while focusing on alignment across grade levels.
INTERIM TREASURER
John Kahmann, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Wauseon Exempted Village School, was introduced as the interim treasurer.
His appointment follows the resignation of Treasurer Joyce Kinsman, which became effective Friday, March 6, 2026.
The Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center is currently managing the search for Kinsman’s replacement.
Kahmann shared that his time spent in the office earlier this month to facilitate the transition from Kinsman went well.
Moving forward, he intends to be present in the district twice weekly while continuing to carry out his responsibilities at Wauseon Exempted Village Schools.
CONSENSUS AGENDA
Addressing the consensus agenda, the board approved meeting minutes from the February 19 regular meeting and February 25 special meeting.
During the February 25 special meeting, the board approved a shared service agreement with Wauseon Exempted Village School District for the contract of Treasurer, approved a consultant contract with Joyce Kinsman for interim services up to 10 hours per week beginning March 9, 2026 and ending July 31, 2026, and approved a one-year contract for Barbara Hug as a Bus Aide for the 2025-2026 school year, effective January 21, 2026.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
In financial matters, the February 2026 Financial Reports, a $4,612.18 donation from the Bluestreak Touchdown Club for a water sprinkler system for the Archbold Football Program, and various appropriation modifications were approved.
The board gave the Superintendent the authority to sign an Alternative Energy Credit Purchase Agreement with Karbone, Inc.
Superintendent Selgo noted that Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are currently valued at $23 each. It is anticipated that the sale will generate approximately $20,000, which will be deposited in the turbine fund to support maintenance costs and debt reduction.
A resolution was approved allowing the Ohio Schools Council to represent the school district in natural gas procurement and to prevent the types of delays and price spikes experienced during the market volatility of the previous spring whether reference is to natural gas, electricity, or both].
ADDITIONAL APPROVALS
Also approved was the addition of the Archbold Basketball Club as a district support organization, a transportation agreement for the 2025-2026 school year for Makyah Malvitz, an overnight trip to Indianapolis for the Music Department for November 16-18, 2026, and the distribution of proceeds from the high school concessions account to the student activity accounts and organizations.
PERSONNEL
The board also approved the following personnel items:
-Substitute paraprofessional and teacher lists provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2025-2026 school year as presented.
-A one-year supplemental contract for Sonny Phillips as a 7th and 8th Grade Track Coach for the 2025-2026 school year.
-The salary schedule placement for the following certified employees who have taken additional education courses: David Dominique M+15, Stacy Guelde M+30 and Coricia Meyer M+30.
-A one-year contract for Ethan Psurny as a teacher for the 2026-2027 school year.
-Administrative salary index effective August 1, 2025.
SUPERANNUATE RE-EMPLOYMENT NOTICE
On March 16, in an email prior to the regular board meeting, this media outlet received a public notice issued by the district stating that Laura Kennedy, currently employed by the district as a teacher, and Matthew Shields, currently employed as the middle school principal, are retiring and seeking re-employment with the district in the same positions.
The public notice states: “The Board of Education proposes to re-employ Mrs. Kennedy and Mr. Shields at its regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026.”
A public hearing on the issue of re-employing Mrs. Kennedy and Mr. Shields will be held at the board’s next regular monthly meeting scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the AHS media center.
Related: Wauseon Middle School sweeps Fulton County Junior High Quiz Tournament
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