(PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
SPECIAL GUEST…The support dog for Archbold Area Schools, Knox, made an appearance at the September 16 School Board meeting.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
Archbold School Board met for its September meeting on Monday the 16th with board members Tyson Stuckey, Jeremy Hurst, Skeat Hug, Karen Beck, and Gina Benecke in attendance.
Bluestreak administration team members on hand included Superintendent Jayson Selgo, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman, AES Principal Andrea Thiel, AMS Principal Matthew Shields, AHS Principal Royal Short, and district Curriculum Director Michele Bagrowski.
In her report, curriculum director Bagrowski shared that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released the 2024 Ohio School Report Cards on September 13 and noted that Archbold Area Schools received four out of five stars. Bagrowski indicated a comprehensive overview of the state’s findings would be presented at the next board meeting.
The director also noted the kindergarten class took part in the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment during the first week of school and third-grade students will be taking the Ohio State Test for reading in mid-October.
In elementary school news, AES Principal Thiel highlighted that the school is beginning its 14th year of the S.O.A.R. Reading Program (Supporting Outstanding Archbold Readers). Thiel expressed gratitude to local businesses sponsoring monthly prizes for students who met their reading goals.
This year’s sponsors include Leaders Farm, Marco’s Pizza, The Doughbox, Archbold Subway, Lange’s Bakery, Rivello’s McDonalds, Samuel Mancino’s, Dairy Queen, Defiance Putt-Putt Golf & Games, and Eric’s Ice Cream.
The AES PBIS Team (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) will continue with reward trips this year and to take part in the special outings, students must meet goals in three areas: academic, attendance, and behavior. The aim of the PBIS initiative is to increase student accountability and according to Thiel, last year over 90 percent of students met their goals.
In elementary testing, first through fourth-grade students recently completed reading assessments as part of the state’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee requirements.
On September 18 the third grade attended Ag Fest at the Fulton County Fairground, and all AES students will be treated to a Ned’s Mindset Mission assembly on September 23.
On to middle school news, AMS Principal Shields spoke about the evening’s special guest, Knox the support dog, who is back for his second year with the district.
The furry addition spends his typical day visiting classes and also has time to squeeze in a midday nap. The Ability Center of Northwest Ohio will meet with Knox to perform his one-year progress evaluation. Knox is ready for a new school year as Ms. Bagrowski added that he has recently had a vet checkup and was fully vaccinated.
Shields took a moment to recognize and offer thanks to the AMS PBIS Team for their leadership and for putting in much extra time toward the initiative. AMS will also continue with the 7 Mindsets program for its fourth year.
The social-emotional curriculum aims to “motivate students to find meaning and purpose” while helping students build character strengths.
Eighth-graders embarked on a science field trip on September 17 while Fifth-grade parents will see a band meeting on September 23. Fifth-graders are looking forward to hosting Grandparents Day on October 4. The entire middle school will celebrate AMS Fall Spirit Week from October 7 to October 11.
According to AHS Principal Short, the high school spirit committee and Student Council organized the AHS Spirit Week from September 16-20, featuring different daily themes and culminating in a bonfire on Thursday and a pep rally on Friday.
This year’s homecoming court included Homecoming Queen and King, Keely Culler and Mason Bickel. Senior attendants were Jazla Tores and Sonny Phillips, while Brynn Hurst and Caleb Arroyo-Thompson represented the junior class. Sophomore attendants were Irelyn Selgo and Griffen Valentine, and the freshman class was represented by Emersyn Selgo and Garret Beck.
The AHS FCCLA hosted its third annual Yellow Ribbon Week last week, focusing on suicide prevention and intervention. The week kicked off with an assembly featuring Karen VonDeylen from Maumee Valley Guidance and concluded with a bake sale at the LC football game. All proceeds from the event were donated to the Four County Suicide Coalition.
The NHS teacher selection committee will be reviewing applications for new NHS members soon. Once new members are selected, NHS Inductions will be held on October 6.
Auditions for this year’s fall play, “The Play That Went Wrong” have concluded and the cast of 24 has been preparing for the big event. The production will be held on November 9 and 10.
In the superintendent’s report, Dr. Selgo noted that instruction and technology coach Eric West of the Northern Buckeye Education Council has proven to be “a valuable asset” to staff. He currently travels to multiple school districts but Selgo mentioned that discussions are underway about potentially expanding West’s services to Archbold.
Financial Reports presented to the Board by Treasurer Joyce Kinsman included the General Fund Analysis, Cash Reconciliation Report, Investment Report, Cash Summary Report, Financial Report by Fund, Monthly Disbursement Report, and Monthly Receipts Report. Kinsman added that she is currently working on the district’s five-year forecast.
Moving on to the Consensus Agenda, the Board approved minutes from the August 19 meeting as well as last month’s financial reports as presented by the treasurer.
In operational items, the board approved permanent appropriations and estimated resources for FY 2025. Total donations in the amount of $12,292.50 from various businesses and organizations were also accepted.
Adopted by the board was an assignment of USDA Foods Member agreement with the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council, an overnight trip to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention on October 23-25, 2024, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Archbold Education Association to amend the current contract language.
In personnel matters, the board accepted the substitute teacher and substitute paraprofessional lists submitted by Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and approved high school and middle school athletic workers for the 2024-2025 school year.
New employment contracts were approved for the following: Annette Huber as a Cook (2.5 hours per day), Emily Pollitz as an Elementary Aide for Cafe and Office, Rosie Barrera as an Elementary Aide for Cafe and Office and Regina Rodriguez as a Playground Aide.
A three-year contract appointing Andrea Thiel as Elementary School Principal and a two-year contract for Matt Cousino as a custodian was also approved.
Ben Gericke and Shelly Conway were appointed as Homebound Tutors for the 2024-2025 school year, and for Megan Martz as a Homebound Instructor for the same period.
Other personnel appointments include several volunteers for the marching band: Jen Throne, Chris Krumnow, Dana Voll, Brad Voll, Greg Whitacre, Amy Whitacre, Mike Short, and Adam Cobb. Classified substitutes appointed are Sue Crawford, Howard Hoge, and Brenda Brown.
For the spring season, the coaching staff includes Sarah Dominique for softball, Rachel Kinsman for track, Jeff Brunswick for baseball, and James Kidder for boys tennis.
The next Archbold Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 in the high school media center.
