Members of Edon Northwest Local Board of Education made a brief return to former high school days during their regular monthly session held Tuesday, April 12, 2016 in the school’s Media Center. President Jamie Schaffter called the meeting to order with all members and approximately nine guests in attendance.
While viewing a delightful slideshow of recognizable monuments and landmarks, members learned of the exciting time EHS music students recently had in Washington DC. Choir President Crista Wortkoetter and Band Vice President Alyssa Maier showcased the March 30 – April 3 trip to our nation’s capital where students not only toured the Capitol, Washington Monument and Ford Theatre but also performed a variety of vocal and instrumental selections at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials as well.
Understandably, one of the most memorable parts of the tour was witnessing the Changing of the Guard and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Four students ~ band representatives Tyler Frantom and Jim Peckham and choir representatives Colten Lyman and Crista Wortkoetter ~ had the distinct honor of laying a wreath on the Tomb; truly an experience everyone will treasure in years to come.
Additionally that evening, Alexia Ewers and Jim Peckham shared another exciting slideshow presentation with board members focusing this time on the annual Senior Retreat. Held in February at Pioneer Scout Reservation/Camp Frontier, the overnight outing featured a variety of fun-filled activities and collaborative tasks for students to take part. Team-builders ~ such as constructing a newspaper tower and completing a scavenger hunt ~ encouraged classmates to align around goals, develop solid working relationships and find a solution to the challenge placed before them.
Whether it was playing cotton ball hockey, building snow sculptures or tossing logs, all seemed to agree it was fun spending time with classmates before graduation in May. As friends drew closer and new friendships were formed, fond memories were created during Senior Retreat ~ memories that will truly last a lifetime.
Highlighted reports shared that evening included:
Superintendent John Granger
•Shared the first phase of the NEOLA Policy Revision process is now finished with documents being prepared for board review; members should have drafts readied by May.
•Noted the School Food Services Review generated an excellent report; Scottie Hamman had voluntarily been re-assigned from KinderKids to grade three for the 2016-2017 school year; with no internal applications, the KinderKids teaching position has been posted (no other teacher vacancies at this time), work at the west entrance will get underway as weather permits and enrollment figures indicate an increase of fifteen students over this time last year.
•Presented discussion information regarding next year’s preschool program and the District’s possibility to host a Head Start program. (Head Start is a federally-funded program; there would be no additional costs to the District.)
Grades 7-12 Principal Anthony Stevens
•Recognized eighth-grader Hunter Cormier and sophomore Logan Bloir as March’s Junior High and High School Students of the Month, respectively.
•Extended thanks to Edon Police Chief Tom Szymczak for his assistance in planning and implementing last month’s safety drill; to Cathy Frastaci, Crystal Bowers, students and faculty for the successful and entertaining musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”; Kayla Lapham for organizing February’s Senior Retreat and to Hannah Everetts and Edon FFA Chapter for their well-attended and enjoyable annual banquet. Family, community and faculty support for all student activities and programs is greatly appreciated.
KK-6 Grade Principal Michelle Molargik
•Congratulated March’s Bomber Courtesy Club members.
•Extended thanks to the board and Dr. Granger for supporting student-intervention opportunities; seventy-seven students participated in the recent grades 3-6 program. Summer intervention plans include expanding offerings so more students can attend; the five-week program, along with transportation, is funded by US Department of Education REAP (Rural Education Achievement Program) monies.
•Shared students were into their second week of State-testing; special thanks to Eric Vardinakis, Technology Coordinator, for the wonderful job he’s done in having computers set up and ready for testing. Additionally, forty students participated in this month’s Kindergarten Registration and Screening Clinic.
In other business brought forward, the Board:
•Accepted, with thanks, Cash Donations during March from: Edon Northwest Parents Club ($75/Music Department’s Washington DC Trip); Edon Northwest Parents Club ($250/FFA/Club’s “fundraiser assistants”); various individuals and businesses ($2,167/Junior Parent Post Prom); various individuals ($472/Cinderella Project) and various individuals ($471/Drama Fund-Musical).
•Heard Treasurer Deb Nester’s standard SM2 Report indicating revenues were up $687,231 and expenses up $88,410 for the same nine-month period as last year. The District is tracking $497,002 better than last year (no deficit-spending) with roughly ninety-five days of cash in the general fund to operate.
•Approved one-year contracts with Sharon Hunt as Family Consumer Science teacher and Erin DeGroff as Spanish teacher for the 2016-2017 school year.
•Approved Tiffany Pease and Aeriel Hobeck as spring 2016 Volunteer Assistant Track Coaches.
•Approved the May 5-6 FFA trip to FFA State Convention in Columbus.
•Approved the Attendance Officer Service Agreement with Williams County Juvenile Court at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars.
•Approved agreements for the 2016-2017 school year with Montpelier Exempted Village School District for School Psychologist Services ($36,163) and Northwest Ohio Educational Technology Foundation (nine hundred ninety-four dollars).
•Approved the annual non-renewal of all supplemental contracts (coaches, club and class advisors, spring and summer intervention teachers, etc.) at the end of the 2015-2016 contract year and Title I classroom teacher aide, classroom teacher aide and Media Center Aide positions at the end of the current contract year. (Done annually, this routine action is no reflection of an employee’s job performance; positions can be renewed at a later date if needed.)
•Rescheduled November’s regular school board meeting for November 8, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
•Approved amended minutes of the regular meeting held Tuesday, March 8, Financial Reports for April 2016 as well as the Amended Certificate request from the County Auditor.
•Voted to enter into executive session for the expressed purpose of discussing personnel and negotiations; no action was taken.
The Edon Northwest Local Board of Education will next meet Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in the Edon Schools Media Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Lucinda Held-Faulhaber
may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com