YEAR END HOUSEKEEPING Archbold School Board heard updates on the CCP Program and took care of some routine year end personnel matters at its most recent meeting in April
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
The Archbold Board of Education met on Monday, April 22, for its monthly meeting in the high school’s media center with board members Skeat Hug, Karen Beck, Gina Dominique, Tyson Stuckey, and Jeremy Hurst seated at the table.
Also on hand from the district’s administrative team were Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel, Middle School Principal Matt Shields, High School Principal Royal Short, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman, Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski, and Superintendent Jayson Selgo.
As a part of his report, Superintendent Selgo shared a College Credit Plus (CCP) program update. CCP allows high school students to earn college credit while still in high school.
Eligible students can take college-level courses at participating colleges and universities, both online and on-campus, and the classes may count towards both high school graduation requirements and college credits simultaneously.
According to a summary provided by high school guidance counselor, Mr. Shawn Grime, “total expenses are down around $13,000 from last year due to the decline in overall participation this year. This year still represents our 2nd highest year in expenses and participation.”
Selgo added, “In 16-17, we had 75 participants and an annual expense of $29,000. (In) 2023, we had 71 participants and up to $144,000, so the cost of that has increased significantly since the original College Credit Plus. It’s just one of those costs. I know it came up when we were going through the levy – it’s one of those things – it’s a great program for students, but it does have a cost to it.”
There is currently a bill before the State of Ohio Senate that if passed, could lead to a slight savings in CCP program textbook costs and add a second participation deadline for students.
The superintendent also took a moment to thank elementary custodian Cathy Brubaker, who will retire in June, for her years of service to the district. He also welcomed new AMS teachers Kayla Boettger, Claire Conrad, and Doug Rupp.
Sharing the latest from the elementary school, Principal Thiel provided the board with an update on kindergarten screening and noted that 107 students were assessed.
Thiel also shared updates on mid-term reports, State testing in the elementary building, and progress on the initiative to update ELA instructional materials per a recent State mandate.
Students of the Month, who demonstrated the character trait “Responsibility” were also recognized in the Elementary Report. March Students of the Month include: Kindergarten – Dan Stevens, Casen Wyse, Sawyer Stuckey, Izzy Graber, Penny Nafziger; 1st grade – Margot Gnagy, Remiah Beck, Elliot Gansmiller, Leah Krueger, Crosby Fruth; 2nd grade – McCoy Miller, Layton Stuckey, Claudia Schmucker, Devin Beck; 3rd grade – Rylee Pierson, Gianna Alt, Palmer Schnitkey, Lucy Pollitz; 4th grade – Hudson Seibert, Ashlyn Cordes, Maci Sierra, Dru Gansmiller; and Specials – Kinsley Smith, Kadie Osterland, Brody Stuckey, Creighton Dominique.
The elementary will see many events in April and May including the Daddy/Daughter Dance on April 26, the Third Grade Musical on Thursday, May 9, and the Fourth Grade Art/Music show on Tuesday, May 21.
Moving on to middle school news, Principal Shields shared that August Ruby and Lily Cox performed at the OMEA Solo and Ensemble at Defiance High School with both musicians receiving Superior (1) ratings. In March, 28 students from Mrs. Grisier’s AMS Choir had the opportunity to join high school students in the Spring Musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
In honor of “Music in Our Schools” month in March and gearing up for upcoming spring concerts, the choirs from AMS and AHS came together for an afternoon dedicated to sharing their performances with each other.
Shields thanked Greg Bowman of Home Base Musical Entertainment for donating his DJ services and equipment for the Student Council-sponsored annual Spring Dance for 7th and 8th grade students.
The AMS principal also shared details on a recent professional development opportunity for teachers where staff learned more about Google Workplace applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Eighth grade students will be heading to Washington DC on May 2. Before the close-out of the current school year, the middle school will see upcoming events including the Spring Band Concert on May 6, the NWOAL League Track meet at Liberty Center on May 11, and the Spring Choral Concert on May 16.
High School Principal Short noted that the 12th graders took part in “Senior Day” on April 19. Seniors participated in a “Real World, Real Money” simulation, and later joined the Archbold Rotary Club for a luncheon.
On Monday, May 20, 12th graders will be honored with scholarships at the annual Senior Awards Night at Founder’s Hall. Commencement for the Class of 2024 will be held on Sunday, May 26.
The high school will also see its Spring Band Concert on May 6, the Spring Choir Concert on May 16, an Awards Assembly for grades 9-11 on May 17, and the Spring Art Show on May 19.
Curriculum Director Bagrowski took a moment to briefly update the board on State testing for all three buildings. She also shared that teachers are in the process of selecting an ELA program from the approved high-quality instructional materials list.
District Treasurer Kinsman briefly touched on the March financial reports submitted to the board and noted that she will present an updated Five-Year Forecast at the May 20 board meeting.
The board then adopted the Consensus Agenda which included approval of minutes from the March 18 meeting as well as the March 2024 Financial Reports.
The board accepted donations from various donors in the amount of $2,015.61 and approved multiple appropriation modifications and estimated resource changes.
Looking to the next school year, the board approved an overnight trip for the middle school 8th graders to travel to Washington D.C. from May 1-3, 2025. Also approved was the Spanish Club’s overnight trip to Puerto Rico for June 19-26, 2025.
Pending completion of all local and state requirements, a member of the senior class was approved for graduation. The board also approved NEOLA policy revisions. Dr. Selgo noted that the updates are primarily a result of House Bill 33 and the Ohio Revised Code.
In personnel recommendations, the board approved one-year contracts for Claire Conrad, Kayla Boettger, and Doug Rupp. All three teachers are set to join the AMS staff at the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Contract renewals were approved for the following certified employees: Amy Baden, John Brooks, Jennifer Cobb, Michelle Conway, David Dominique, Zeb Frank, Ben Gericke, Bailey Gerken, Shelby Graber, Garrett Grime, Courtney Grisier, Emily Hammersmith, Dana Hilfinger, Jessica Nofziger, Bridget Ruffer, Cody Ruffer, Abby Thompson, and MacKenna Whitacre.
Classified employees who received the approval of renewal contracts include Stacie Armstrong – Cafeteria, Danielle Bly – School Nurse, William Conner – Custodian, Amya Coulon – Playground Aide, Susan Crawford – 2 hr. Cook, Brittany Dominique – Aide, Justin Dominique – District Maintenance/Custodian, Jody Hulbert – Bus Driver, Tiffanie Kruse – AMS Secretary, Rachel Lange – Assistant to the Treasurer, Derric Martinez – Aide, Mark Miller – Bus Driver, Amy Sauder – Sub Secretary .75 hrs per day, Jessica Short – Media Center Specialist, and Lauren Yoder – Playground Aide.
Ashton Stuckey, Payton Morgan-Smith, Brooks Miller, Hailie Hahn and Anderson Bentley were all approved to serve as Student Workers effective May 1, 2024. Emily Walker was approved as Casual Laborer for the summer while Jill Martinez was approved as Summer School Tutor.
The following resignations were also accepted: Kevin “Scoop” Miller (retirement), effective May 31, 2024; Cathy Brubaker (retirement), effective June 30, 2024; Karen Vonier effective July 31, 2024, and Miranda Bzovi, effective the end of the current school year.
The board also approved the paraprofessional substitute and substitute teacher lists supplied by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2023-2024 school year.
Upon the superintendent’s recommendation, the board approved ten extended days for the high school, middle school, and elementary guidance departments, vocal music, and band while the Vo-Ag/FFA department was approved for an additional 15 days during the 2023-2024 school year.
The next Archbold Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
