By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, January 22, the Archbold Board of Education met for its regular January meeting in the high school’s Media Center.
Immediately following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Board moved to enter into an executive session to consider the appointment of a public official of the School District.
After convening for ten minutes, the Board returned and moved that Gina Benecke be appointed to fill the Board’s vacant seat. Treasurer Joyce Kinsman then issued the oath of office to Benecke.
With the table now full, the Board then made a motion to enter into another executive session, this time to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with employees concerning compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
Following the 20-minute executive session, the Board returned and approved the Master Agreement with the Archbold Education Association effective August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2025.
Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel began the educational reports by noting that the third-grade English Language Arts testing results were “fantastic.”
An after-school tutoring program will begin in February for those who did not pass the test and need a little extra help in that area.
Thiel also shared that the elementary’s “Smash Cancer” fundraiser raised over $7,700 with proceeds benefitting a second-grade student who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. “We live in an amazing community who is so supportive,” added Thiel.
Also in elementary news, kindergarten registration will begin on the district’s website on February 12. Kindergarten screening will take place at the elementary school on March 18 through March 19 and as in previous years, the current Archbold kindergarten students will not have class on those days.
In the middle school report, Principal Matt Shields acknowledged the Mindset Leaders for December and expressed pride not only in the recipients of the award but also in the student body for recognizing positive qualities in their fellow peers.
It was also shared by Shields that to support academically “at-risk” students, a newly launched “Intervention Tutoring” program began in December providing individual and small group after-school sessions.
Qualifying students engage in two one-hour sessions per week, where they receive tailored support in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Allison Bentley, Emily Hammersmith, Scoop Miller, Jan Lindsay, and Anne McCarty serve as tutors for the program.
The middle school will also be seeing its spirit week next week as the junior high teams are beginning to prepare for tournaments.
High School Principal Royal Short updated the Board on the successful intramural basketball program, which is led by teacher Mr. David Dominique. He mentioned that almost 80 students actively participate in the program.
Also at the high school, Mr. Ryan Sell’s Ag class took on the task of building a shed for the Archbold Community Garden and that project is nearing completion.
Short also took a moment to thank Title Assurance for sponsoring the recent Archbold vs. Liberty Center girls’ game so that Archbold students could enter free of charge. He extended an additional note of thanks to all area businesses who have sponsored games so far during the school year.
Michele Bagrowski, Curriculum Director for the district shared that randomly selected Archbold 8th graders will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the nation’s largest ongoing evaluation of students’ knowledge.
Administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, NAEP provides a common measure of achievement nationwide.
The results, released in “The Nation’s Report Card,” offer insights into student achievement for educators, parents, policymakers, and the public. Archbold was randomly chosen for the mandatory test.
Superintendent Dr. Jayson Selgo offered an update on the district’s continuing search for a Mental Health Counselor, noting that the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center has received a few applications and that the interviews have been promising.
Selgo also shared that all Fulton County schools recently decided to close on April 8, 2024, for the solar eclipse upon recommendation from various state entities and the Fulton County Emergency Management Agency.
The decision is a safety precaution, given that the totality timeframe aligns with the dismissal times of numerous schools in this area.
The event is anticipated to draw a significant number of visitors from outside the area eager to witness the rare eclipse.
In honor of School Board Recognition Month, Selgo took a moment to thank the board members for their years of service and offered each of them a plaque to commemorate the milestone.
Karen Beck brings six years of experience, Jeremy Hurst has eight years of service, Tyson Stuckey has been serving for four years, and Skeat Hug and Gina Benecke have contributed two years.
Treasurer Kinsman shared with the Board that the Fulton County Auditor’s office advised that the first real estate tax advance should be reaching the district later in the week.
“We are looking forward very much to that tax advance coming to help give us some cash flow for the General Fund so that we can keep paying bills and payroll,” Kinsman added.
The Board moved on to consider the Consensus Agenda and approved the December 18, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes, the January 8, 2024 Organizational Meeting Minutes, and the December 2023 Financial Reports.
Approval was also granted for the submission of the current Five-Year Forecast and the district schedules of debt in place of the tax budget to the County Budget Commission.
Per policy 6423, Use of Credit Cards, the board did not receive rebates in the calendar year 2023. Donations for the month of December 2023 totaling $1,354.94 were accepted by the Board. Appropriation modifications were made to the General Fund in the amount of $150,000 and the Ag Ed 5th Quarter Fund in the amount of $2,510.46.
An estimated resource change was also approved in the amount of $2,510.46 for Ag Ed. The final 2024-2025 School Calendar was also adopted.
The Board approved early graduation for two high school seniors and okayed an overnight trip for the high school AP Government class to travel to Columbus for the “We the People” competition on February 1, 2024.
Reappointed to serve on the Archbold Community Library Board of Trustees for a 7-year term beginning January 1, 2024, was Jed Grisez.
The Board also gave the green light for the district’s continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2024-2025 school year.
In the personnel recommendations, the Board approved a modification to the hourly rate for student workers and casual laborers.
The revised rates are as follows: $10.45 for the first year of service, $10.60 for the second year, and $10.75 for the third year. These changes will take effect from January 1, 2024, in accordance with the updated Ohio minimum wage.
The retirement resignation was accepted from middle school teacher Rob Mahnke effective May 31, 2024. Also approved was the paraprofessional substitute list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2023-2024 school year, Second Grade teacher Jennifer Allen as a Homebound Tutor for up to five hours per week for the 2023-2024 school year, and a one-year contract for Kelly Short as a part-time school nurse substitute for the 2023-2024 school year.
One-year supplemental contracts were approved for the following individuals 2023-2024 school year: 7-8th Grade Track – Russ Lambert, Bruce Wooley, Derrick Baksa, and Ben Osterland; Assistant Track – Nate Hammersmith, Pat Leupp, LaRoy Martinez, Chris Baden, Zach Belknap, Amy Sauder, and Dave Weber; Assistant Baseball – Kirk Weldy, Derrick Martinez; Assistant Softball – Leslie Beemer, Josh Schramm and Todd Nafziger.
The following spring sport volunteers were also approved for the 2023-2024 school year: 7-8th Grade Track – Steve Walker, Michael Short, and Hailey Wooley; High School Track – Bronson Baden; Baseball – Tanner Wyse, Josh Johnson, Toby Walker, Tyson Schnitkey, and Loren Brown; Softball – Chloe Schramm.
As a final item in the Consensus Agenda, the Board approved the substitute teacher list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2023-2024 school year as presented.
For the third time, the Board moved to enter into an executive session for the purpose of employment of public employee(s) with no action anticipated.
The Archbold Board of Education will be meeting for its next regular meeting on February 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center.
