PHOTO BY SIENNA GILL / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
BOARD BRIEFING … Superintendent Dr. Selgo discusses Rover Pipeline with the board.
By: Sienna Gill
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Board of Education held its regular meeting on Monday night, with the session beginning at 5:00 p.m. sharp.
The meeting opened with a roll call, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. All board members were present for the meeting, including Board President Mr. Jeremy Hurst, Vice President Mr. Tyson Stuckey, Mrs. Karen Beck, Mr. Skeat Hug, and Mrs. Gina Benecke.
Shortly after the meeting began, the board approved a motion to enter executive session at 5:02 p.m. for the purpose of considering the employment of a public employee of the school district.
The board members exited the room and remained in an executive session for about 41 minutes, returning to open session at 5:43 p.m.
Upon returning, the board approved the agenda as presented and moved into the public participation portion of the meeting.
Media representatives in attendance introduced themselves to the board. Following those introductions, Archbold High School senior and student athlete Charlee Forward addressed the board regarding the district’s Sunday Policy, which restricts student access to athletic facilities, including the gymnasium, on Sundays.
Forward stated that she believed the policy was not being enforced consistently. She shared an experience in which she was denied access to the gym on a Sunday, while another student-athlete on her team was reportedly allowed access approximately two weeks later after being let in by a faculty member who was also a parent.
Forward explained that, as a result of being denied access, she paid for round-trip transportation to Napoleon to use an alternative gym facility rather than being able to practice at her home school.
She noted that students frequently share their locations and activities through social media and stated, “Social media is a powerful tool, and kids are often sharing their locations and photos with each other.
“I’m confident that…[other students have been using the gym whereas I’ve been denied access].”
Forward urged the board to ensure that the Sunday Policy is enforced equally for all students, suggested that outdoor facilities be locked if indoor facilities are restricted, and requested that no exceptions be made for individual students.
The board thanked Forward for her comments before proceeding with the meeting.
The board next moved into educational reports, beginning with an update from Curriculum Director Mrs. Bagrowski. She reported that the district had received its fall English Language Arts assessment scores, noting that the results were lower than those from the previous year.
She stated that staff are actively working with students to support improvement. Mrs. Bagrowski also shared that second-grade gifted screening assessments are scheduled to begin in early January.
Elementary Principal Mrs. Andrea Thiel then presented her report. She began by talking briefly about the second-grade Christmas musical, The Grumps of Ring-A-Ding Town, which was performed on Thursday, December 11, 2025, under the direction of Mrs. Cobb.
Mrs. Thiel stated that the students worked hard and delivered a successful performance. She also reported that this year’s elementary Christmas canned food drive exceeded past years by more than 800 items, describing the week as an “unbelievably amazing display of generosity by parents and students.”
Mrs. Hurst’s fourth-grade class collected the most items and will be rewarded with a breakfast provided by the Archbold FFA Chapter.
The elementary school collected a total of 2,635 items for Fulton County Christmas Cheer during its November 17–21 food drive, with assistance from FFA members who helped collect donations daily.
Mrs. Thiel further reported that parent-teacher conferences in November saw excellent participation and that PowerSchool will continue to be used for online progress reports during the 2025–2026 school year.
She reported that, as of December 15, 2025, there had been zero confirmed cases of bullying at Archbold Elementary as defined by board policy.
She also recognized students selected as November Bluestreaks Best, noting that guidance lessons during the month focused on the character trait of courage, with selected students celebrating with a pizza party.
Middle School Principal Mr. Shields followed with his report, beginning by recognizing the Blue Streak Leaders selected for November and expressing pride in the students honored.
He reported that the middle school music department has been active, with both band and choir students participating in county honors events.
The choir has already held its holiday concert, while the band concert is scheduled for later in the month.
Mr. Shields also reported on the annual Veterans Day Celebration hosted by Mr. Bryan Miller’s eighth-grade history classes. The event welcomed 49 local veterans representing all branches of the military, with service ranging from the Korean War to active duty.
The program included the presentation of colors by the VFW, the National Anthem performed by eighth grader Addyson Barker, and “Taps” played by Gavin Miller and Tessa Siebert.
All seventh and eighth-grade students attended the assembly, and eighth graders served breakfast to the veterans afterward.
Parent-teacher conferences were also discussed, with Mr. Shields reporting that parents registered for 424 total conferences involving 138 students.
The most scheduled teacher, Mrs. Horning, in sixth grade, had 86 percent of her available time slots filled. The annual AMS Book Fair was held in November, with profits and Scholastic credit totaling over $5,300.
Additionally, more than 70 books and 50 posters were given away to students.
Mr. Shields also mentioned that archery practices began on December 1, with 101 student participants across the elementary, middle, and high schools.
He also reported that the AMS Student Council led a Christmas Cheer canned food drive, collecting nearly 1,200 items and $250, and organized donations at the fairgrounds on December 8.
Holiday concerts included a combined choir performance on December 7 with high school choirs, and the grades 5–12 band concert scheduled for December 18.
Mr. Shields concluded by reporting that there were no confirmed incidents meeting the district’s bullying policy at the middle school during the fall semester.
High School Principal Mr. Short then presented his report. He shared that 34 sophomores recently visited the Four County Career Center, where they toured the facility and discussed the application process and available programs. The application window opened on December 1.
Mr. Short also reported that the high school FFA conducted a Christmas Cheer canned food drive and that both FFA members and AHS Impact students volunteered at the fairgrounds during the event.
Mr. Short highlighted the work of the AHS Communication class, which has livestreamed several events throughout the year, including Meet the Candidates Night, a recent girls’ basketball game against Wauseon, and the Christmas Choir Concert.
The class plans to livestream the AHS versus Liberty Center girls’ basketball game on January 9, with recordings available on YouTube.
He also announced an upcoming tribute honoring Coach Char Sharp, scheduled for Saturday, December 27, during the girls’ basketball game against Kalida.
Former players are preparing hallway displays highlighting Coach Sharp’s career and accomplishments.
Mr. Short concluded by reporting that no bullying incidents have been reported at the high school during the first semester of the 2025–2026 school year and noted that semester exams will take place December 19 through 23.
He also recognized Ms. Karen Beck, noting that the meeting marked her final meeting of the term with the board.
Superintendent Dr. Selgo then presented his report, beginning with an update on the ongoing Rover Pipeline litigation involving tax valuations.
He explained that while Rover continues to pay taxes on undisputed amounts, the ongoing legal process may impact district planning and levy decisions until resolved.
Dr. Selgo also shared that the Ohio School Council reported total savings of $178,194.14 for Archbold Area Schools across fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Dr. Selgo reviewed six transportation-related policy updates recommended by NEOLA and provided an update on the MAC building project.
He reported that while progress has been made with asphalt basecoat installation, permanent power, and window framing, the project is approximately one month behind schedule due to delays with the roof. Completion is now projected for May 2026.
He also discussed required adjustments to meet regulations and confirmed that epoxy flooring has been contracted.
Dr. Selgo concluded by referencing the district’s required Student Wellness and Success Plan, developed in coordination with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
Treasurer Mrs. Joyce Kinsman then presented her report, stating that she is awaiting property tax valuation information from the Fulton County Auditor for both Fulton and Henry counties.
She noted that this is not a reappraisal or update year and does not anticipate significant changes. Mrs. Kinsman shared that the district’s five-year financial forecast is due to the Ohio Department of Education by the end of February and that she will attend a full-day in-person forecasting session in January.
She also reported that forecasting software has been upgraded to assist with long-term planning, including considerations related to the Rover Pipeline.
Mrs. Kinsman informed the board that the fiscal year 2025 audit has begun and that staff should respond to audit-related inquiries as needed.
Following reports, the board unanimously approved the consensus agenda. Items included approval of the November 10, 2025, regular meeting minutes, the December 10, 2025, special meeting minutes, and the November 2025 financial reports.
The board also approved donations totaling $850.49 from the Archbold Area Foundation to the General Fund and $30 from Theresa Hulbert to the AHS Fall Play, along with appropriation modifications and estimated resource changes related to the girls’ basketball program and Title II-A funding.
In addition, the board approved transportation-related NEOLA policy updates and appointed Liz Leupp and Andy Bentley to four-year terms on the Archbold Community Library Board beginning January 1, 2026.
The board then unanimously approved the personnel recommendations presented. These included the approval of Brad Hurst as a grade-level high-dosage tutor; Tracy Dohm and Elizabeth Hoge as classified substitutes; Justin McCarty as a student worker; Matthew Gladieux as a volunteer indoor track coach; Jeff Brunswick as high school baseball coach; and Dustie Vocke, Shelby Graber, Mary Gingerich, and Madison Phillips as grade-level high-dosage tutors for the 2025–2026 school year.
Additional board action included approving January 12 at 5:00 p.m. as the date and time for the organizational meeting and appointing a President Pro Tem for that meeting.
With no further business to discuss, the board approved a motion to adjourn. The meeting concluded at 8:14 p.m.