PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
CHANGING OF THE GUARDS … APD Officer Nate Slough, who is taking a Patrol Officer role with the police department, was recognized for six years as the district School Resource Officer. 2013 AHS grad and APD Officer Levi Gerig will be taking on duties as SRO for the district. (L to R) Officer Levi Gerig, Superintendent Jayson Selgo, Officer Nate Slough, Lincoln Slough, and Chief Leo Wixom.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, January 12, the Archbold Board of Education convened for its first meeting of 2026. Present were board members Jeremy Hurst, Tyson Stuckey and Gina Benecke, along with newly elected member Christine Ziegler, who formerly served as the district’s treasurer before her retirement in 2023. Board member Skeat Hug was not in attendance.
Following Benecke and Ziegler taking the oath of office, the Board proceeded to elect Hurst as board president and Stuckey as VP.
The board then set the 2026 Regular Meeting schedule as follows:
Monday, January 12, 2026; Thursday, February 19, 2026; Monday, March 16, 2026; Monday, April 27, 2026; Monday, May 18, 2026 (4:30 p.m.); Monday, June 29, 2026; Monday, August 17, 2026; Monday, September 21, 2026; Monday, October 19, 2026; Monday, November 16, 2026; Monday, December 21, 2026 and Monday, January 11, 2027 (Organizational Meeting).
All meetings will be held in the High School Media Center at 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. In annual housekeeping items, the board established at $5,000 service fund, approved standard authorizations for both the Treasurer and Superintendent, and established the District Records Commission.
Appointed to serve as OSBA legislative liaison for 2026 was new member Ziegler, and Gina Benecke will serve as OSBA student achievement liaison.
The district’s membership in the Ohio School Board Association for 2026 was also approved.
At 5:13 p.m., the board adjourned the Organizational meeting and moved into its regular January meeting at 5:14 p.m. The agenda was then approved upon a motion from Benecke, which was seconded by Ziegler.
Before proceeding with the evening’s business, Dr. Selgo took a moment to remember Mike Kennedy, whose recent passing has deeply affected the school community.
“At this time, I would like to take a brief moment to honor the life of Mike Kennedy,” Selgo began. “Mike was a retired middle school teacher and a longtime member of the boys’ basketball coaching staff, dedicating 42 years to the program.
“Affectionately known as Coach K, Mike recently passed away and has been remembered through many tributes from neighboring schools and members of the basketball community, including recognitions at recent road games.
“Mr. Kennedy will be formally honored at our upcoming basketball game this Friday, January 16, 2026.
“Although Coach K will no longer be on the bench with the team, his legacy will remain a part of the program and the school district for generations to come.”
Turning to the audience area, Dr. Selgo then welcomed Fulton County Auditor Brett Kolb, who was on hand to assist with two upcoming resolutions.
The first of which was “RESOLUTION OF NECESSITY FOR THE RENEWAL OF A TAX LEVY pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 5705.03, 5705.17, 5705.194 through 5705.197 for the purpose of paying current expenses of the School District.”
Offering further background, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman shared that the district will be asking for a renewal of the $1.1 million emergency levy that has been in place for many years.
She also disclosed, in accordance with a recent Ohio Law change, that the district’s carryover balance does not exceed expenditures.
Kinsman clarified that approval of the resolution changes the language to a renewal of a “fixed sum” levy as opposed to an “emergency” levy.
With January marking School Board Appreciation Month, Dr. Selgo recognized members for their years of service: Jeremy Hurst with ten years, Tyson Stuckey with six years, Skeat Hug with four years and Gina Benecke with four years.
Former board member Karen Beck, who did not seek re-election in November, was recognized for eight years of service to the district. Selgo then took the opportunity to welcome Chris Ziegler as the board’s newest member.
Archbold Police Officer Nate Slough, known by students as “Officer Nate,” was recognized for his service to the district as well.
“Thank you for your more than six years of dedicated service as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for Archbold Area Schools,” Selgo began.
“Your steady presence, professionalism, and genuine care for students and staff have helped create a safer, more supportive school environment and have fostered positive relationships between many students and their families and the Archbold Police Department.
“When you took on this role, it was a newly created position. You have been an invaluable part of the district, helping shape and define the role into what it is today.
“While we thank you for being a pioneer in this position, we are also excited to welcome Officer Levi Gerig and look forward to the ideas he will bring as the role continues to evolve with ever-changing responsibilities.
“Officer Slough, we are deeply grateful for the relationships you’ve built, the guidance you’ve provided, and the lasting positive impact you’ve made on our school community. Your commitment and service are truly appreciated.”
Leaving the school district to take a patrol officer role with the village, Slough will be handing the reins over to fellow APD Officer Levi Gerig, who will be taking over the SRO duties. Officer Gerig is a 2023 Archbold graduate.
In the treasurer’s report, Kinsman noted that she has been keeping up on the many items of legislation being passed at the state level, and she will be attending a seminar on Friday to finish up the financial forecast.
She noted that anticipated income from the Rover pipeline will not be included in that forecast.
Addressing the consensus agenda, the board approved the December 15, 2025 regular meeting minutes as well as the December financial reports.
Donations totaling $5,771.00 were accepted, which included a $5,000.00 donation received from North Star Bluescope Steel, and various appropriation modifications were approved.
It was acknowledged in the consensus agenda that, per policy 6423 -Use of Credit Cards, the board did not receive rebates in calendar year 2025.
The board also approved the submission of the Financial Forecast, which was approved in September 2025, and the district schedules of debt in place of the tax budget to the County Budget Commission.
The district calendar for the 2026-2027 school year was approved as presented. Students Saydi Kruse and Noah Channell were approved for early graduation, as long as all state and local requirements are met.
In personnel matters, the board approved a supplemental contract for Brad Hurst to serve as an Assistant Boys Basketball Coach.
Also accepted were the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center substitute paraprofessional and teacher lists for the 2025-2026 school year.
At 5:34 p.m., the board went into a brief executive session for the purpose of considering the employment of a public employee of the school district. They returned at 5:46 p.m., and the regular meeting resumed.
In its last item of the evening, the board voted to approve the “RESOLUTION TO PROCEED WITH ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF THE RENEWAL OF A TAX LEVY pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Sections 5705.03, 5705.17, 5705.194 through 5705.197 for the purpose of paying current expenses of the School District.”
Board member Ziegler asked for clarification on the number of mills the levy would require, to which Kinsman responded that, according to the county auditor’s certification, it would be 3.218 mills.
“And that would be $113 for each $100,000 of county auditor market value,” Kinsman added. Selgo offered that the current $1.1 million levy was initially passed in 2006 and renewed in 2011, 2016 and 2021.
“As an important note,” Selgo continued, “this is the same levy and the same dollar amount original to 2006.
“The only change has been, obviously, the millage has decreased in terms of the millage, but also because of legislation, the name has changed. So, it will still function the same way it always has.”
Hurst further clarified that if property valuations go up, the collection stays the same.
With no further business, the board adjourned at 5:51 p.m. The next Archbold Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center.
More Archbold BOE coverage: Archbold Board of Education Honors Beck & Hurst For Years Of School Board Service