By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Millcreek West Unity Board of Education met in a regular session on Monday, May 11 with board members Brian Wieland, Dave Dempsey, Dawn Layman, and Elishah Siegel present while Heather Jones was absent.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Superintendent Steven Riley and Elementary Principal Jason Mansfield presented the proposal for arrival and departure changes for buses, parents, and student drivers, for the next school year.
Wieland also suggested that Riley check the building specs to make sure the asphalt in the proposed area was suitable for buses.
Riley also thanked the Millcreek West Unity Foundation for their donation to the academic awards program.
The board approved a payment of a $1,000 bonus stipend to each staff member — Certified (as set forth in the most recently board-approved collective bargaining agreement), Classified, and administrative staff. These stipends are in addition to and not part of their contractual wages.
Payments will be made one time, in the first pay of December, in each of the following fiscal years, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
In personnel action, the board approved the following:
— Kiley Johnson as district assistant.
—Jana Griffin as website maintenance.
—Ashley Siegel as Red Rover and assistant treasurer.
Three-Year Contracts issued to:
— Alex Cummins as technology coordinator.
—Gwyn Livensparger as transportation manager/bus driver.
— Bill Williams as custodial manager.
—Shari Stough as food service manager.
Kristen Ewers was awarded a one-year contract as a school nurse.
The board approved the following classified contracts for the 2026-27 school year.
Two-year contract: Lisa Holsopple, Tina Lopez, James Moore, Laura Rings, Abbie Sanders, Maddie Schaper, and Bill Stipe.
Continuing contract: Sheila Stuckey and Susan Thiel.
In other personnel action, the board approved the following one-year contracts.
—Madison Brown as Reading Intervention Teacher (bachelor’s degree).
—Kara Custar as Intervention Specialist (Grades 7-12, bachelor’s degree).
—Braelyn Wymer as Kinder Cadets (bachelor’s degree).
The board accepted the resignation of Dan Hurd as high school cross country coach for the 2026-27 school year.
Amber Ebersole was approved as a substitute bus driver pending completion of all certifications for licensure.
Cafeteria prices were also approved for the 2026-27 school year. Grades K-6 ($3.00), Grades 7-12 ($3.30), Adult Lunch ($4.30), Adult Salad ($3.50), Student Breakfast ($2.25), Adult Breakfast ($2.75), and Milk ($0.60).
The board approved the following items:
—The substitute teacher and classified substitute reasonable assurance of employment list for the 2026-27 school year.
—Agreement with NWOESC for mentor services for 2026-27.
—Participation in the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) IDEA Grant Consortium for fiscal year 2027 with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center.
—School curriculum for the 2026-27 school year.
—Accepted the donation of $5,000 from the Millcreek-West Unity Foundation to the Academic Awards Program.
—Approved supplemental contracts for 2026-27.
—High School/Junior High School book and lab fees for 2026-27.
—Approved reimbursement of student travel expenses, up to $1,200 each for Halle Jones and Mya Higgins for their attendance at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona on May 9-15.
—Approved classified policy and salary schedules for fiscal years 2027-2029.
—Membership with Ohio Schools Council for participation in cooperative purchasing programs at $300 per year membership fee.
— The Electric Audit Agreement with Ohio Schools Council and Yankel & Associates, to determine whether any overcharges from First Energy occurred. If any funds are recovered and are due to the district, they will be disbursed as follows: 50 percent (school district), 30 percent (Yankel & Associates) and 20 percent (Ohio Schools Council).
Next school board meeting will be Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. in the library.
