(PHOTOS BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BS AWARD … 10-Year Membership Award: Pictured are Marti Rothey, Bob Siebenaler, and Sally Green.
NH AWARD … 10 – Year Membership: Pictured are Marti Rothery, Nick Hug, and Sally Green.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Egerton Board of Education meeting started slightly earlier than normal, called to order at 5:30pm. The change was due to Edgerton High School volleyball competing in a tournament game on October 21st.
The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was taken with members Lyn Bowsher, Amanda Giesige, Nick Hug, Bob Siebenaler and Bill Swank in attendance.
Also in attendance at the meeting was Superintendent Ben Wilhelm, Elementary Principal Lucas Smith, High School Principal Brett Grieser, and CFO/Treasurer Bill Blakely. Acceptance of the agenda was motioned by Lyn Bowsher and seconded by Nick Hug. The signing and approval of September board minutes quickly followed being approved by all.
Superintendent Wilhelm then announced two guests from the Ohio School Board Association, Marti Rothey and State President of the Ohio School Board Association Sally Green.
Rothey and Green were in attendance to present recognition awards. Board Members Bob Siebenaler and Nick Hug received awards for 10 Year Veteran Board members.
President Green spoke about the dedication and hard work it takes being a board member, serving for 19 years herself. Both Rothey and Green invited all members to the upcoming Capital Conference.
Andy Farnham took the floor next representing the Edgerton Area Foundation.
Farnham updated the board on the completion of the Roger Strup Memorial press box at the football field. He highlighted a few of the many donors who were involved in the project such as Buck and Nick Perry donating over $10,000 in materials and labor, Owen’s Electric, and Stark’s plumbing and heating.
Bob Siebenaler expressed thanks to all involved, especially for the air conditioning as he spends a lot of time there during football season.
The final award was a token of gratitude from the board of education to Tim Meister who served as Superintendent from January to July.
Siebenaler presented Meister with a special plaque ensuring there was a bulldog emblem and with the quote ‘“Thanks for coming to our rescue.’
The treasurer’s agenda was next, with Blakely presenting. The report included numbers for the general fund and revenue with no significant changes from the prior year.
Blakely updated increases in the lunch and breakfast participation since being under the CEP program. Blakely provided the annual review of credit card locations and security measures. Approval of the monthly financial recommendations was motioned by Bill Swank and seconded by Amanda Giesige.
Superintendent Wilhelm followed by first distributing a monthly report from the Four County Career Center board meeting for the board to read at their leisure.
Second was an explanation of Senate Bill 29 which deals with student online activity and monitoring. Wilhelm explained that a notice would be posted online to alert students and parents regarding monitoring of online activity while using school provided technology.
Wilhelm presented administrative recommendations next to approve the 2024-2025 Interagency agreement with Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission.
A recommendation to approve the Kidz Club after school program for grades 3-6 beginning in January and running through March of 2025. Personnel recommendations followed with the NwOESC sub-list for paraprofessionals and teachers.
Resignation of assistant Varsity Boys Wrestling coach, Rick Herman, was presented. Supplemental contracts for the 2024-2025 school year were as follows: Tom Nye – Elementary Wrestling, Rick Herman – Varsity Girls Wrestling, Hayden Herman – Assistant Varsity Boys Wrestling, McKenna Dietsch – Junior Varsity Girls Basketball and Nate Drown – Junior High Girls Basketball.
The fourth personnel item was to approve reimbursement of background checks for non-certified staff members, in accordance with House Bill 33 and Senate Bill 163.
The final item was to approve two-year OTES/OPES certifications for Elementary Principal Lucas Smith and Superintendent Wilhelm. The motion to approve all recommendations was approved.
Elementary Principal Lucas Smith provided a brief report highlighting several fun activities. First Smith explained OTES (Ohio Teacher Evaluation System) was in full swing and commented how excited he was to be on the other side and observe teachers in their element.
Smith provided photos of several recent events including square dancing, a visit from the fire department on fire safety, and lunch with a dog where high school fall athletes were paired up for lunch and recess with elementary students. Upcoming events included 3rd grade testing, red ribbon week, and the book fair.
Closing out the meeting was the High School Principal report from Brett Grieser.
Grieser touched on OTES as well. Grieser spoke about the achievements so far in fall sports, with football and volleyball continuing onto tournament play.
Activities taking place recently in the high school included a trip to Northwest State Community College to attend manufacturing day, a visit from the Board of Election to inform students on voting procedures, and FFA dairy cattle day.
He provided several photos including ‘Go Bulldogs’ recipients which is when a student is recognized for displaying excellence, leadership, or service. He also highlighted lunch with a dog and how enjoyable it is to find new ways to connect K-12 students.
Grieser provided upcoming activities: science club, art club, fall sport tournament action, and a trip for juniors and seniors to the career fair at Bryan High School. Grieser closed with positive comments on the ongoing parent teacher conferences.
With no need for an executive session, the meeting adjourned with several members eager to get to the volleyball game.
