By: BIll O’Connell
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On Wednesday, 3/23/16, at 6:30 PM, President Alice Simon dropped the gavel to start the Delta School Board meeting which was held in the multi-purpose room of the Delta Middle School. Also present were board members Michael Mattin and Tammy Sprow, Treasurer Eric Soltis and Superintendent Ted Haselman.
After the minutes from the 2/17/16 meeting were read and approved, Mr. Haselman reported that Fulton County EMS Director, Chad Smith, had checked the AED Units at all Delta school buildings and replaced some batteries, pads and one entire unit. The replacement equipment, with an estimated cost between $1500 and $2000, was donated through the Fulton County Director’s Office. “I just want to publicly thank them,” said Haselman.
Guest recognition was next on the agenda and began with Delta’s Students of the Month. Adam Mattin was chosen from the elementary school and was presented by Principal Ellen Bernal, Chloe Sharples was the middle school recipient and was presented by Principal Doug Ford and Miranda Eppard was the high school selection and was presented by Principal Martin Friess.
Also recognized was the high school wrestling team. The Panthers were fresh off capturing the 2016 Division III Individual State Tournament Championship, their third state title in the past four years. It came on the heels of their 2016 Division III Dual Team State Tournament Championship , their fourth consecutive state title and left Delta as the only school to win this event since this competition was inaugurated four years ago.
Mr. Soltis followed with the Treasurer’s Report which included the Ending Cash Balance position. “We’re $2,500,000 more from where we stood a couple of years ago,” said Mr. Soltis. “That’s just indicative of the very good progress we’ve made over the last couple of years and, certainly, we want to keep that ball rolling.”
He also reported on monies donated by businesses, individuals and other groups to things such as the After Prom, Backpack Buddies, wrestling tournament expenses, cheerleading, other respective sports and faculty scholarships and expressed his appreciation as well. The report was unanimously approved by the board.
Mr. Haselman then proceeded to submit for approval contract offers for two key positions. The first was to Kristie Reighard for the position of high school principal with a two-year contract at $80,000 per year effective August 1, 2016. Ms. Reighard’s credentials include being a science teacher at Penta County for the past eight years and at Bowling Green High School for eight years prior to that. She is also on Penta’s Building Leadership Team and is currently the President for the Science Education Council of Ohio(SECO).
The second position was for Andrea Johnson as the District Curriculum & Instruction, Assessment and Communications Director. Ms. Johnson has a great deal of experience in this field including one year at Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center and two years at Auglaize County ESC and was an English teacher before that for 12 years. In her current job she is spending 1.25 days working in the P-D-Y School District. Her contract offer is for two years at $70,000 per year.
“While this is a new position it’s not a new role in our district,” Mr. Haselman pointed out. “We’re also going to be saving dollars in the end by hiring this person internally. So it’s a win-win on all aspects.”
Supplemental contracts were offered to Damon Mattimore as Head Baseball coach, Mary Reighard as Assistant High School Track Coach, Eric Lutton as Middle School Track Coach, Mark Nagel as Spring Weight Room Coordinator and Tiffany Soto as Student Teacher Mentor. All contracts were unanimously approved by the board.
Eight dates in April(12, 13, 19,20, 21,22,26,27) were selected for End of Course Exams at the high school. Students not testing on those days will be on a two-hour delay.
Kindergarten Registration dates are April 20, 21 and 22 in the elementary building. School will not be in session for current kindergarten students on those days.
Principals from the elementary, middle school and high school gave brief reports on current activities outside their classrooms. Ms. Simon adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:30 PM.
Bill O’Connell may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com