(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
2025 BOARD MEMBERS … (left to right) Don Smith, Jason Miller, Nora Kiefer, Matt Vaculik, and Rusty Carr.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Evergreen Local Board of Education held its meeting on Monday, January 13th. The board elected Nora Kiefer as President with Jason Miller as Vice President for the 2025 year.
The Board approved the following items during the organizational meeting:
-Set the third Monday of each month at 6:00 pm as the date and time for regular meetings in 2024, except for February 20 (3rd Tuesday), March 24 (4th Monday) and June 24 (4th Monday).
-Adopted a resolution to dispense with the reading of the minutes for previous meetings.
-Voted to limit the pay for Board Members to a maximum of 13 meetings for 2025.
-Appointed Nora Kiefer as the 2025 Legislative Liaison.
-Appointed Rusty Carr and Matt Vaculik to the 2025 Audit Committee.
-Established a 2025 Public Record Commission for the Evergreen Local Board of Education that includes the Board President, Superintendent, and Treasurer.
-Established a 2025 Board Service Fund at $5,000 to cover expenses of Board Members related to attending meetings or other Board business as allowed by state law.
-Authorized the Treasurer to invest funds, pay bills within appropriations, and seek advance draws of taxes from Fulton and Lucas Counties for 2025.
-Authorized the Superintendent to be the Purchasing Agent for all purchases up to $35,000 and approved expenditures for student activity accounts, staff leaves, and professional meetings for 2025.
The organizational meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m., after which the regular meeting began at 6:00 p.m.
The board approved the minutes from the previous regular meeting, along with the financial reports. These financial reports included two donations: an anonymous contribution of $100.00 to the Student Assistance Fund and a $3,750.00 donation from Parker Hannifin for the High School STEM Grant.
The board accepted the resignation of Mark Wagner, a teacher, for retirement effective May 31, 2025. Additionally, several supplemental contracts and volunteer positions for the 2024-2025 school year were approved.
An overnight trip was also approved for high school music students, teachers, and adult chaperones to travel by motor coach to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, from December 15-19, 2025.
Similarly, the EHS Quiz Bowl Team, along with their advisor and parent chaperones, will compete in the National Academic Quiz Bowl Tournament in Chicago, Illinois, from April 25-27, 2025.
The board approved the purchase of a replacement 72-passenger bus from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service Inc. at a cost of $135,880.00. The purchase will be fully funded by insurance replacement funds.
During the meeting, the principals and superintendent provided their reports. The elementary principal announced that enrollment for Kindergarten will take place in the first week of February, with screenings starting in April.
The middle school principal reported that there are a total of 211 students on the honor roll this quarter, with 75 students earning all A’s. The superintendent mentioned that the school is still exploring options for signage at the corner of County Road 6 and State Route 20, as the digital signage option is too costly.
Board member Don Smith raised a couple of questions, including one about food service. Superintendent Eric Smola responded that there are staffing issues, but they hope to resolve them soon. Mr. Smith also inquired about PowerSchool, as there was a breach.
He wanted to know if anyone at Evergreen had been affected. It was reported that Evergreen was fortunate, and no one at the school was impacted by the breach.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for February 18 at 6:00 p.m.