PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
NEW BOARD MEMBER … Scott Zimmer (right) was sworn in by Edgerton Local Schools treasurer Bill Blakely (left) as a new school board member prior to the regular meeting on Friday, June 26.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Board of Education met in regular session on Friday, June 26. Board members in attendance were Lyn Bowsher, Gary Plotts, Scott Zimmer, Nick Hug, and Bob Siebenaler.
Prior to the meeting, Zimmer was sworn in as the newest board member by treasurer Bill Blakely.
Zimmer was chosen at a special meeting following interviews held on Tuesday, June 23. He replaced Dawn Fitzcharles who had earlier resigned from the school board and will be serving out her term which expires December 31, 2027.
The board approved Gingo & Bair Law, LLC of Cincinnati as legal counsel for the school district and authorized the board president, treasurer, superintendent and designated administrators to engage in legal services.
Blakely told board members that Pam Leist, who had previously served as an attorney with Ennis & Britton Law, LLC, also of Cincinnati for the school district, had accepted a similar position with Gingo & Bair Law, LLC.
“We had already called her a couple of times since she has already made the switch and getting those services with her continue to be outstanding and don’t see any changes with that,” Blakely said.
Blakely had sent out an email to board members letting them know that was happening regarding Leist’s legal firm switch. The email letter was dated June 12.
“It sounds like you guys accepted it two weeks ago without board approval,” said board member Gary Plotts.
“I don’t remember the board approving it, so I’m just asking is that normal that the board don’t approve contracts first before we change it.”
Board member Bob Siebenaler said it’s a very unusual situation because they (Gingo & Bair) had reached out to the district and had already sent the information.
“This is what is going on with Pam (Leist) leaving Ennis & Britton, and she is going to this other firm (Gingo & Bair) and we need to make a decision,” said Siebenaler.
“Do we want to stay with the old firm, or we want to go with a new firm. You guys did your due diligence, and you put it on the agenda, and it’s a hire then.
“Unfortunately, we needed some legal advice during the transition. And that was a part of the language from the letter from Ennis & Britton that we could use her (Leist) during the transition period.
“I’m almost positive that I was there and that’s what we did. So, we’re here today that if you don’t want to vote to retain her (Leist) with the new firm, that’s fine and it’s your right. I don’t think we need to beat this thing to death.”
BOARD ACTIONS
The board approved the following items:
-Commended students in Grades 7-12, and Four County Career students for making the honor roll in the fourth quarter of the school year.
-An increase in substitute teacher pay beginning with the 2026-27 school year, from $100.00 to $110.00 per day.
-The unpaid parental leave of absence for Emily Grine, first-grade teacher for the duration of the school year beginning August 12, 2026.
-Danielle Yoder as a substitute teacher for first grade for the duration of the 2026-27 school year.
-Accepted the resignation of Vicki Schaffner as five-eighths time intervention specialist for grades 7-12, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
-Luke Braman was issued a one-year contract for the 2026-27 school year as Grade 7-12 health/physical education teacher, Step 0, BA, pending necessary pre-employment requirements and Ohio certification.
-Approved numerous supplemental contracts, volunteers, and chaperones, pending necessary pre-employment and volunteer requirements.
-The resignation of Neil Haughn as bus driver effective May 31, 2026, for the purpose of a June 1, 2026, retirement.
It also authorized and directed the treasurer to place a notice in the Bryan Times, no later than July 2, 2026, for the purpose of retire/rehire of Haughn, due to the late retirement and it being necessary to have bus drivers in place at the start of the school year.
The board has determined that the rehire addresses an urgent need for the district.
The board then approved the following administrative recommendations:
-Approval of 2026-27 NOVA classes (Edgerton Virtual Academy) including the academic guide and application for admission.
-A memorandum of understanding with Defiance College for hosting teacher education candidates from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
-An educational agreement with the Wood County Educational Service Center for the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center/Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio for the 2026-27 school year.
-Approved the district liability insurance with SORSA (Schools on Risk Sharing Authority) for the 2026-27 school year.
FINANCIAL AND FACILITY UPDATES
In financial matters, the board approved temporary fund appropriations totaling $11,972,800.62 for the 2026 Fiscal Year.
Superintendent Ben Wilhelm updated board members that the bus barn project has been completed. The only item that needs to be done is seeding grass around the facility.
He also reported that flooring work in the STEAM Lab is done along with the restroom floors at the football field being redone.
Next board meeting will be on Monday, July 20 at 7 a.m.
