PROGRESSING THROUGH MEETING … Edgerton School Board members (left to right) Amanda Giesige, Bill Swank, Lyn Bowsher, Superintendent Kermit Riehle, Bob Siebenaler, Nick Hug, and Treasurer Bill Blakeley. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Edgerton School Board meeting of September 29 began with the Pledge of Allegiance. All five board members, Amanda Giesige, Bill Swank, Lyn Bowsher, Bob Siebenaler, and Nick Hug, were in attendance.
In the first order of business, the board approved the evening agenda and approved the meeting minutes from the previous August meeting.
In public participation, teacher Jenni Heisler, whose last day will be October 14, gave a short talk.
Heisler said that her MS is getting worse and resigned, because “I couldn’t give everything to teaching that I thought I could. Thank you and I hope you will understand, it’s been very enjoyable.”
Siebenaler directly spoke to Heisler. “Thank you does not seem enough, but on behalf of the board, thank you for all you’ve done,” Siebenaler said. “I think you should allow people to celebrate you.”
In the treasurer’s agenda, treasurer Bill Blakely stated that conpared to last year, revenues are up $145,000 and expenses are at $132,000, for a positive of $13,000.
Blakeley reported that food service had a slight decrease of $500, but overall, he was very happy. He stated that breakfast participation was strong and was pretty comparable to 2020 and 2021.
Blakeley gave the following six recommendations, which were approved by the board: the financial results from Tree and Star; approve the purchase order for cameras; an order of $4,595; appropriations; certification of available resources and student activity budgets.
Superintendent Kermit Riehle made the following six recommendations: to approve an agreement with Wood County Juvenile Detention Center, the Juvenile Residential Center of Northwest Ohio and Wood County Academy; approve a transportation agreement with Tinora for a resident student being transported to the HOPE Center; approve an emergency disaster resident transfer agreement between Parkview Nursing Center and Edgerton Schools, in the event of an evacuation of the Center when required due to an emergency; approve an interagency agreement with NOCAC Head Start, Williams County Early Intervention and seven Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center school districts; approve a transportation agreement with Edon to transport Edgerton students to the Four County Career Center and to accept a donation of an Apple IPad valued at 438, from Williams County Family and Children First Council.
The board approved all six recommendations.
Riehle then asked for approval of the following eight personnel recommendations: accept the resignation of junior high teacher Jenni Heisler, accept the resignation of Heisler as the Future Teachers Advisor; approve Ken Cronin as a junior high substitute teacher, beginning October 17, at $125 per day for 60 days and then $209.74 for the remainder of the school year; accept the resignation of Kelli Seiler, effective June 1, 2023; accept the resignation of Terrell Nickels as a junior high football coach; accept the resignation of John Minor, effective June 1, 2023; the resignation of Sherry Branham as a bus driver/custodial staff member; and the resignation of Chris Bostater, effective June 1, 2023, which were all approved.
Next, the board approved of the following supplemental contracts: ffith and sixth grade football coach Skip Muehlfeld, junior high track coach Jacob Ferrebee, future teachers advisor Rachel Muehlfeld, first-year mentor Jason Zumbaugh, first-year mentor Gayle Adams, second year mentor Keith Merrillat and volunteer quiz bowl advisor Sam Herman.
The board then approved of seven more personnel recommendations: approve the current NwOESC sub-lists for paraprofessionals and teachers; the attendance of Kristine Manning and selected students at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis for October 27; the hiring of Marie Moore as an aide/accompanist; Neil Haughn as summer help and Ellen Wolfrum as an aide; change to Denise Riehle’s contract in the number of days and hours; Carla Hinkle as a substitute teacher from August 17, 2022 to September 6, 2922 and the change in Gary Cooley’s contract.
Riehle then gave a report. He said that the student body is strong, but student enrollment is down slightly.
The board then approved of the first reading of NEOLA proposed policy changes.
Riehle reported that two FFA events will be held in Edgerton. The dairy judging will be held at the Joe and Rosie Krill Farm and dairy foods will be held at the Riehle Family Farm.
He also talked about the following: Angie Burklo was hired recently as the director of Student Services and is off to a good start; track repair with VASCO will hopefully take place this fall; The HOPE Center is waiting on supplies before the Exterior Sign can be completed and management council board of trustee member known as Bell, will provide software support.
Elementary School Principal Brett Grieser then gave a report. He said that the school has adopted a movie theatre theme for this year and that he is happy with the staff and school culture.
He said that the kids are in full swing with projects and Mr. Beck took students through bus training. Also, Grieser said that the number of kids involved with science club and art projects are very good.
He said that for the greeters involved with Bulldog Friday, both the older kids and the elementary students are enjoying it. Also, Grieser said that Police Chief Plotts and K-9 Jax visit a lot and are a big hit with the kids.
Grieser stated that Pawsitive referrals, of kids doing positive things, is going well and that PD Day on September 13, involved assessment tools.
In addition, I Ready Scores assess where students are and the six students for quiz bowl have been selected.
Finally, Coach Zumbaugh has been holding cross country mini runs for students and that a high number of 200 students have signed up for the Family Fun Night, to take place on October 7.
Principal Ben Wilhelm then gave the junior high/high school report. he reported that students enrolling in extracurricular activities, for band and sports is strong, with a total of 111 sstudents involved.
Wilhelm reported that since homecoming took place on September 2 and 3, with the third taking place during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game, enough guys requested to see the game that it was put up for them to watch. He said that the guys watched the game, while the girls danced.
In spirit boards, Wilhelm said that it was a nice pep rally and that the juniors won the spirit contest.
Also, the students did a good job of painting the parking lots with their art. Wilhelm said that everyone will miss Mrs. Heisler.
The board then went into executive session.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
