PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FINANCIAL MATTERS…Interim Treasurer John Kahmann (right) reported that the first-half tax settlement from the Henry County Auditor included an additional $246,733.90 from the 2019 Rover Pipeline settlement.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 27, with board members Tyson Stuckey, Gina Benecke, Chris Ziegler, Skeat Hug and Jeremy Hurst in attendance.
Also on hand were administrators Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel, Middle School Principal Matt Shields, High School Principal Royal Short, Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski, Superintendent Jayson Selgo and Interim Treasurer John Kahmann.
Following roll call and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the removal of a scheduled executive session from the agenda.
RETIRE-REHIRE PUBLIC HEARING
In conjunction with its regular meeting, the board held a public hearing on the issue of reemployment of high school art teacher Laura Kennedy following her recent notice of retirement. No members of the public were on hand to comment on the matter.
Selgo added that Kennedy intends to continue with the district throughout the remainder of this school year and she will rejoin the district as a “retired hire” in 2026-2027.
Later in the meeting, upon the approval of the Consensus Agenda, the board rescinded its March 16 acceptance of the retirement resignation from Matt Shields, effective June 30, 2026.
The board then subsequently approved a 3-year contract for Shields as Middle School Principal, effective from August 1, 2027, to July 31, 2030.
ELEMENTARY REPORT
In Elementary news, Principal Andrea Thiel reported that 88 students took part in kindergarten screening, and there are currently 14 students enrolled in next year’s Kinderstreaks class.
The following elementary students were recognized for being named “Bluestreaks Best” in March: Kindergarten – Finnley Boettger, Cru Graber, Paisley Evans, Camden Short, Crew Pietras and Jade Ruffer; First Grade – Willa Meyer, Wyatt Wyse, Dawson Cover, Ava Perez and Adrian Hausch; Second Grade – Aubrey Adams, Maria Guzman, Addie Bernath and Emilio Snyder; Third Grade – Jace Weber, Ty Ruffer, Maverick Figgins and Ruthie Britenriker; Fourth Grade – Jon Cheney, Zeke Mayfield, Jaiden Jondreau and Brinley Jagielski; Specials – Shiloh Verhoff, Isaiah Wiemken, Layton Stuckey, Evie Vent, Harper Fowler, and Dominic Houl.
Thiel praised the district’s crisis team in response to the recent passing of an elementary third-grade teacher.
“I just wanted to say publicly, first of all, the crisis team that we had put in place here was an absolutely amazing support system for our building and for all the things that we had to go through in light of that event.
“And also, the amount of public support from other local schools was just incredible. We received donuts from a school, flowers from a school, coffee from another school,” Thiel began.
“So every day, it gets a little bit easier.
“The kids have been extremely resilient, and you know, and supporting Samantha’s family and her husband and her daughter still attending preschool in our building.” Thiel also expressed appreciation for the district’s guidance counselors, who offered support to the elementary staff and students.
Upcoming events in the elementary building include the Third Grade Musical on May 7 at 7:00 p.m., a STEAM Day with Eric West for first and second graders on Tuesday, May 12, a fourth grade AMS visit on Thursday, May 14, the AES Field Day/FFA Petting Zoo on May 15, the “Best Day Ever” event on May 18 and the Fourth Grade Wax Museum on May 19. Students from many classes are also looking forward to various field trips to close out the school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL REPORT
Principal Matt Shields of the middle school recognized Bluestreak Leaders for March, who included: Fifth Grade – Lucy Politz, Oakley DeGroff, Paige Jones, and Ty Wyse; Sixth Grade – Jett Figgins, Kennedy Ruffer, Norah Fruth, and Olivia Stuckey; Seventh Grade – Emagene Gracia, Hollyce Baun, Katelyn Fry, and Laila Lewis; and Eighth Grade – Ayla Figgins, Brynlee Bowerman, Emi Pinter, Lorelei Miller, and Taylor Rufenacht.
Shields also recognized young musicians Addy Barker, Allison Gaona, Katelyn Fry, Ruby Krueger, Poppy Rupp, Ashleigh Riley, Eliana Wyse, Laelah Rodriguez, Mae King, Marian Shields, Tobin Nofziger and Evan Krukowski for their participation in the annual OMEAS District 1 event.
On Thursday, April 30, AMS eighth-grade students will be traveling to Washington, D.C. Shields pointed out that students have been traveling to D.C. since 2015 and this year marks the 10th trip, which included a two-year pause due to the COVID pandemic.
Upcoming events at AMS include the Spring Choir Concert on April 28, an assembly on April 29, the Spring Band Concert on May 4, followed by Eighth Grade Orientation and Seventh Grade STEM Day at the high school on May 5.
Closing out May, events include Honors STEM at AES on May 12, a Fourth Grade Orientation Visit on May 14, and the JH Track team competing at the NWOAL Finals Meet on May 15.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
High School Principal Royal Short reported that the prom was recently held the previous weekend.
He also noted that on May 7, the OSU Extension Office will present the financial literacy simulation, “Real World, Real Money,” to the senior class.
On May 15, class awards will be held in the building and the peer-to-peer group is hosting a wellness day. On May 17, the high school will host the annual art and industrial arts show.
This year’s scholarship night will take place on May 18 at Archbold Evangelical Church, a new location for the event. Short added that Micah Sensenig will be catering the event, and the school will “save quite a bit of funds through this new approach.”
Short also touched on the success of the recent Senior Citizen Luncheon, noting there were approximately 220 attendees.
He also thanked the staff and the AHS Impact Club for their roles in organizing the event, as well as the band and the “Company” vocal group for their performances.
Other upcoming events at the high school include the Spring Choir Concert on April 28, the Spring Band Concert on May 4 and Commencement on May 24.
CURRICULUM DIRECTOR’S REPORT
In her report, Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski noted that Ohio State testing began on April 7.
Teachers for specific grades and subjects are completing roster verification to connect their teaching to student growth scores, which will provide data for future instructional decisions.
She also shared that K-5 staff are attending professional development and continually reviewing and improving ELA curriculum.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Jayson Selgo began his report with a note of gratitude to AHS Impact, Mr. Short, Mrs. Pinter and Mrs. Oyer for organizing the annual Senior Citizen Luncheon.
Selgo shared that because many local seniors monitor the turbine, the luncheon provided an ideal setting to provide updates regarding the school’s landmark fixture.
The superintendent read the information that he shared with the senior citizen luncheon guests.
“The total project cost for the turbine was $1,862,250. Of that overall cost, the district borrowed $625,000 through Farmers & Merchants State Bank in government bonds at 5% interest.
“The interest is reimbursed to the district through the Qualified School Construction Bond program. All other expenses were supported by grants. The $625,000 debt is due on December 1, 2026.
“Currently, we transfer savings on energy and sales of renewable energy credits generated by the turbine on a quarterly basis to an account to support that debt. The balance of that account on April 1, 2026, was $551,683.08. This represents 88% of the amount needed, which has been raised through savings with a deposit of $19,320, which was deposited on Friday. This will take us to nearly 92%.”
New staff were welcomed, including Emilee Bassett, who will be serving as a fourth-grade teacher, and Mallory Watson, the new seventh and eighth-grade science teacher.
He noted there are additional vacant positions that will be filled soon.
Superintendent Selgo further noted that school cancellations caused by bad weather have necessitated the addition of one day to the current academic calendar.
Selgo’s written report also addressed the upcoming levy. “In January 2026, the Archbold Board of Education approved ballot language for a fixed-sum levy to appear on the May ballot, replacing the emergency renewal that currently provides the same funds. While this levy will have a new name, it does not represent new money.”
Board member Jeremy Hurst added, “Well, it’s also a good time to clarify, just as you did. It is a renewal; the wording is different due to changes in the state house that will not allow us to use the term ‘emergency levy’ anymore.
“It’s a fixed-sum levy, it is a renewal, it’s not asking for new money. The other part of that is, it has been in place for 20 years…”
TREASURER’S REPORT
Interim Treasurer John Kahmann reported that as of March 31, 2026, the district had a reconciled cash balance of $10,426,935.90. At this point in the fiscal year, the district is 75% complete, having received 92% of its expected revenue while spending 72% of its budgeted expenditures.
Compared to the previous year, revenues have increased by 3.24% while expenditures have remained nearly flat, rising only 0.03%. Total bills and payroll for the period amounted to $1,522,802.97.
The first-half tax settlement from the Henry County Auditor included an additional $246,733.90 from the Rover Pipeline settlement for 2019 only.
Approval was also requested for back pay owed to teacher Mary Gingrich due to a salary placement error, with $3,166 already paid in the 2025-2026 fiscal year and the remaining $3,375 to be added to the current contract.
CONSENSUS AGENDA AND PERSONNEL
Moving on to its Consensus Agenda, the board approved Special Meeting Minutes from April 6 and April 8, as well as the March 16, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes. The March 2026 Financial Reports were also approved.
With plans for next school year’s eighth-grade Washington, D.C. overnight trip already in the works, the board authorized that it take place April 29 – May 1, 2027.
In addition to an agreement with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center, the board approved updated NEOLA policies 2431.06, 3440, 4124, 4440, 5112, 5421, 5430, 6220, 6320, 6325, 6423, 6424, 6425, 6460, 6465, and 8500. The policy updates reflect recent legislative actions, HB 114, HB 57, HB 96, Ohio Revised Code, Governor’s Merit Scholarship requirements, an Auditor of State Bulletin, NIL policies, changes to Ohio’s minimum wage and 2026 mileage rates.
Numerous personnel items were included in the Consensus Agenda.
The following new contracts were approved: a five-year contract for Jayson Selgo as Superintendent; a three-year contract for Matt Shields as Middle School Principal; a three-year contract for Royal Short as High School Principal; a three-year contract for Allan Gladieux as High School Athletic Director; a three-year contract for Esther Rupp as School Psychologist; a two-year contract for Lorinda Brader as Technology Director; a three-year contract for Michele Bagrowski as Curriculum Director; and a three-year contract for Andrea Thiel as Elementary School Principal.
One-year teacher contracts for the 2026-2027 school year were approved for Emilee Bassett and Mallory Watson. A contract was approved for Steve Lange as Casual Laborer for Summer 2026. Contracts were also approved for Student Workers effective May 1, 2026, through the end of the 2026-2027 school year for Hailie Hahn, Jaden Osterland, Trevor Osterland, Justin McCarty, Brooks Miller, Keri Hahn, Ashton Stuckey, and Makena Thiel.
The Superintendent’s recommendation to approve Certified Contract Renewals for the 2026-2027 school year was accepted. Continuing contracts were approved for Allison Bentley (Middle School Teacher), Megan Martz (High School Teacher), and Jamie Zagarella (Elementary Teacher).
Two-year contracts were approved for Danielle Bly (Nurse), John Brooks (Elementary Physical Education Teacher), Claire Conrad (Middle School Teacher), Ben Gericke (Elementary Teacher), Bailey Gerken (Elementary Teacher), Courtney Grisier (High School/Middle School Teacher), Emily Hammersmith (Middle School Teacher), Kayla Horning (Middle School Teacher), Bradley Hurst (High School Teacher), Jessica Nofziger (Elementary Teacher), Bridget Ruffer (Elementary Teacher), Cody Ruffer (Middle School Teacher), Doug Rupp (Middle School Teacher), Abby Thompson (Elementary Guidance Counselor), Morgan Vickery (Elementary Teacher), and MacKenna Whitacre (Middle School Teacher).
One-year contracts through 2027 were approved for Leslie Beemer (Middle School Physical Education Teacher), Riley Bloir (Elementary Teacher), Camryn Hagans (Elementary Teacher), Jennifer King (High School Teacher), Suzanne Papin (Middle School Teacher), Madison Phillips (Elementary Teacher), Kayla Reynolds (Elementary Teacher), Kelsi Ross (Elementary Teacher), Alysa Short (High School Teacher), Madelyn Rufenacht (Middle School Teacher), Andrea Stevens (Middle School Teacher), and Jessica Truck (Middle School Guidance Counselor).
Classified Contract Renewals for the 2026-2027 school year were accepted. Continuing contracts were approved for Stacie Armstrong (Cafeteria) and Justin Dominique (District Maintenance/Custodian).
Two-year contracts were approved for LeeAnn Brummett (Cafeteria), William Conner (Custodian), Sharon Converse (Cafeteria), Matthew Cousino (Custodian), Brittany Dominique (Aide), Melanie Gingrich (Bus Driver), Barbara Hug (Bus Aide), Tiffanie Kruse (Secretary), Derric Martinez (Aide), Anne McCarty (Aide/Media Center), Jenny Miller (Aide), Mark Miller (Bus Driver), Jessica Short (Aide/Media Center), Annette Williams (Custodian), and Addison Ziegler (Aide).
Heather Stillwell was approved as a Classified Substitute for the 2025-2026 school year and the substitute teacher and paraprofessional lists provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2025-2026 school year were approved.
The resignations of Sue Crawford (elementary playground aide) and Beth Yoder (Band Director) were accepted, both effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
