CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION … (L to R) Tobin Nafziger, Avery Waldfogel, Jack Weber and Corbin Hicks are recognized for competing in the Fulton County Spelling Bee. Not pictured: Katelyn Liechty. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT, STAFF)
By: Amy Wendt
On Monday, March 2023, the Archbold School Board met in the Archbold High School Media Center for a regular meeting with all members except Karen Beck in attendance.
Superintendent Jayson Selgo requested that the Board consider approving a Retirement Incentive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was approved by the Archbold Education Association (AEA) earlier in the month.
According to the superintendent’s report, effective immediately upon the MOU approval, “all certified staff members will have the opportunity to retire and take advantage of an opportunity to be rehired in the same position for one additional year.”
“The AEA and board believe this opportunity is one that will offer unique opportunities to potential retirees while offering the district potential financial savings.”
Board President Jeremy Hurst thanked Selgo for his work on the retirement incentive. “Given the financial status of the school and specifically revenues coming in, anything we can do to provide cost savings is certainly appreciated,” Hurst added.
In the superintendent’s report, Selgo also confirmed that the district received approval from the Ohio Department of Education for the Precautionary Plan Workbook and Narrative that was submitted as required by the State.
In the treasurer’s report, district Chief Financial Officer, Chris Ziegler noted that due to the Precautionary Plan that was filed, the board will be reviewing certain financial reports every month.
Ziegler clarified pertinent sections of the financial report in detail including the Forecast Analysis, Revenue (General Fund) Summary, and Budget Summary.
The CFO indicated that these reports will now be included in the monthly financial reports to the Board provided the district is still under the Precautionary Plan.
Middle School Principal Matt Shields and Elementary Principal Andrea Thiel recognized students who participated in the Fulton County Spelling Bee.
Students recognized included Tobin Nafziger – 4th grade, Fulton County Spelling Bee winner for fourth grade; Avery Waldfogel – 5th grade; Jack Weber – 6th grade; Katelyn Liechty – 7th grade; and Corbin Hicks – 8th grade. Hicks placed 1st in the county and was entered into the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee.
In the elementary school report by Thiel, it was noted that Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 school year was currently underway with 79 students registered as of March 10.
Thiel also shared that the elementary school has been collecting donations of stain/hole-free Archbold clothing of all sizes in the elementary office for the “Streak Shop.”
According to Thiel, Mrs. Bridget Ruffer has been instrumental in getting this program up and running.
Staff is currently working to convey information to students and families so they may request an item from the “shop.”
It was also noted the Elementary Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to AES from March 27-31, 2023.
Upcoming AES Dates:
– March 27 – AHS Elementary Pajama Party with the Pigeon at the Archbold Community Library
-March 27-31 – AES Book Fair
-April 3 – Head Start Kindergarten field trip
Middle School Principal Shields updated the board on the upcoming 8th grade Washington DC Trip. 80 students and 18 adults will visit the nation’s capital.
Highlights include a tour of the Capitol, participating in a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, a visit to Mt. Vernon, and a “dinner cruise” on the Potomac.
The AMS quiz team squad completed a successful season by winning the Fulton County Junior High Quiz Tournament on March 9. This year’s team included 18 members and finished with an overall record of 10-1.
Read Across America Day kicked off the AMS Spring Book Fair. Students and teachers celebrated Read Across America Day by “dropping everything to read” each period, all day.
Upcoming AMS Events:
March 31 – Student Council Spring Dance
April 1 – Junior High Solo and Ensemble
April 6 – 1st Track Meet (@Fairview)
Royal Short, High School Principal, reported that small groups of students from Mrs. Oyer’s Government classes will be taking part in Project Citizen.
Project Citizen is a program designed to help promote competent and responsible participation in local, state, and federal government.
Small groups of AHS students will work cooperatively to identify a public policy problem or issue in their community.
Students then research the problem, evaluate alternative solutions, develop their own solution in the form of a public policy, and create a political action plan to enlist government authorities to adopt their proposed policy.
Short also noted that 30 high school students worked very hard on the recent musical “In the Woods” since auditions in December and thanked the students and staff for their hard work.
This year’s prom will is April 29 at Founder’s Hall. AHS will host the walk-ins at 5:00 pm. The junior class and their parents have been working hard fundraising and planning for prom.
AHS will be hosting the Annual Senior Citizen Luncheon on April 28. Entertainment from the Company and the Jazz Band is anticipated and there will be representation from all student activity groups.
Senior, Annika Delong, won the Franklin B Walters Scholarship by completing an essay about Dr. Yoder, a teacher who inspired her.
All freshmen and seniors taking the “Senior Seminar” class were trained in CPR.
On March 27, the Archbold High School Band and the Pettisville High School Band will be rehearsing together at AHS. At the end of the school day, they will host a combined concert.
Upcoming AHS Events:
– March 27 AHS PHS Combined Concert
– April 12 Blood Drive
– April 16 FFA Banquet
– April 26 AHS Band performing the National Anthem at the Mud Hens
– April 28 Senior Citizen Luncheon
– April 28 Senior Class Meeting
– April 29 Prom
– May 8 Spring Band Concert
– May 15 Senior Scholarship Night
– May 16 Awards Night
– May 17 Spring Choir Concert
– May 22 Spring Art Show
– May 28 Commencement
Curriculum Director, Michele Bargrowski, shared testing information with the Board. She advised that the state testing window will begin on April 4 with English Language Arts assessments. Math, science, and social studies testing will begin on April 18.
Following the educational reports, the board approved the following consensus agenda items:
-February 2023 Financial Reports.
-Overnight trip for the Middle School 8th graders to Washington D.C., May 2-4, 2024.
-Donations received by the FFA Program and the Student Lunch Program.
-2023-2024 agreement with NWOESC for instructional services.
-Contract with Julian & Grube for agreed-upon procedures agreed to by the Ohio Department of Education Medicaid School Program on the Medicaid regulations for the fiscal year ending 2024 and 2025, $2,200 yearly.
-Participation in the OHI Charter Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program for the 2024 policy year
-$129 Change Fund for Elementary Book Fair.
-Authorized the distribution of proceeds from the high school concessions to the accounts of NHS, Athletic Boosters, Student Council, FCCLA, After Prom Committee, Girl’s Soccer Program, High School Art Club, Varsity Cheerleaders, Archbold Football Club, Class of 2024, Physics, Athletic Department, High School Principal Fund, Spanish Club, GBK Program, Vocal Music Boosters, Football Program, Softball Program, Track Program, and Girl’s Golf Program.
-Appropriation Modifications as submitted.
-Fund Transfer of $5,206.72 from GF to Turbine Maintenance, 003-9001.
-Overnight trip for the High School Football Team to Trine University, July 24-25, 2023.
In Personnel Recommendations, the following items were approved:
-Paraprofessional substitute list provided by Northwest Ohio
Educational Service Center for the 2022-2023 school year as presented:
-Toby Walker as a volunteer baseball coach for the 2022-2023 school year.
-Rescinded the one-year supplemental contract for Garrett Grime as a 9th-grade baseball coach for the 2022-2023 school year.
-Garrett Grime as a volunteer baseball coach for the 2022-2023 school year.
-One-year supplemental contract for Mike Rosebrook as boys golf coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-Three-year contract for Matt Shields as Middle School Principal effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2027
-Three-year contract for Royal Short as High School Principal effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2027
-Three-year contract for Allan Gladieux as High School Athletic Director effective August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026
-Three-year contract for Esther Rupp as School Psychologist effective August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026
-Two-year contract for Lorinda Brader as Technology Director effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026
-Three-year contract for Michele Bagrowski as Curriculum Director effective August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2027
-Contract for Rachel Lange as a Classified Substitute for the 2022-2023 school year, pending all requirements and certifications successfully met
-Retirement resignation of Kathy Breeding, effective June 1, 2023.
-Three-year contract for Joyce Kinsman, Treasurer, effective from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2026
-One-year contract for Tiffanie Kruse as Middle School Secretary for the 2023-2024 school year
-Salary schedule placement for Mindy Gruenhagen MA+15 who has taken additional education courses
-Substitute teacher list provided by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center for the 2022-2023 school year as presented.
The following Board items were also approved:
-Retirement Incentive MOU
-Special Meeting on Monday, April 24th at 4:45 p.m. for a hearing for employees being considered for retire/rehire. Public notices of employees wishing to be considered will be posted on the School Board link on the Archbold Area Local Schools website in advance of the meeting.
-Notice of Employer Pick-Up Plan
The next regular Archbold School Board Meeting will be held on April 24, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereporter.com