By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jenna@thevillagereporter.com
Millcreek-West Unity Local Board of Education held their monthly meeting at 6:00pm on Monday June 24th. President Heather Jones called the meeting to order. Board members present at the meeting were: Dawn Layman, Brian Wieland, David Chester, Randy Mahlman and Heather Jones.
Following roll call, the superintendent presented his reports covering: the annual Cafeteria Report, the Business Advisory Council Meeting Minutes from March 5th, the 2024 Joint Statement, the second semester Bullying Report, and the plan to address Student Wellness & Success.
Following the superintendent’s reports, Mr. Riley and Mr. Mansfield presented their respective Principal’s reports.
Ingrid Hoffman and Joscelyn Layman, recent 2024 graduates, presented the board with information on their experiences at the ISEF and Genius Olympiad Science Fairs, thanking the Board for their support in their attendance.
The board then approved the following agenda items: Minutes, Financial Statements and Investments from the May 2024 BOE Meeting; participation I’m the NOVA, digital curriculum through Northern Buckeye Educational Council for the 24-25 School Year; participation in federal programs for the 24-25 fiscal year, including CCIP Grants and Lunch & Breakfast programs; the proposal with Hylant Administrative Services for District’s Liability, Violence, Automobile and Property Insurance for $42,280; the Pollution Policy for $375; and the Cyber Policy through CFC for $2,106; NWOCA membership Fees for FY25 in the amount of $31,853.25.
Also approved was participation in Early Childhood Special Education Consortium with NwOESC for FY25; technical Services/Costs Agreement with NWOCA for FY25; agreement with the N.W. Ohio Juvenile Detention Training & Rehabilitation Center for educational services 7/1/24-6/30/25 in the amount of $80/student per day; the FY24 Final Appropriations; temporary Appropriations for FY25 at 75% of FY24 actual expenditures; transfer of $890.45 from 001 to 006 to cover negative lunch balances; resolution authorizing the treasurer to purchase an Employee Dishonesty and Faithful Performance Policy in lieu of a bond; the treasurer to act as the Board Appointed Public Records Training Designee.
The temporary employment of Colton Wood as unpaid custodial intern for June 11, 12 & 13 and as unpaid sub custodian for June 14, 17, 18 & 19, 2024.
Other items approved by the board include: contract amendment for Gwen Livensparger, Transportation Manager; up to 10 additional work days in June and July for Troy Cummins for transitioning to new H.S. Principal position. Days will be paid at FY25 daily rate; employment contract for Kristen Ewers, school nurse, effective 8/1/24-7/1/31/25; agreement with Julian & Grube to prepare district’s financial statements in conformity with Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34 in the amount of $2,700 each year for FY25, FY26 and FY27; agreement with Joy D. Fruchey & Associates for student mental health services for 24-25 school year; District Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, effective 8/15/2024.
The board granted approval for the disposal of / sale of outdated textbooks & teacher manuals.
The following resignations were approved: Karen Cheezan, JH Intervention Specialist as of July 31, 2024; Troy Cummins, Junior High Science Teacher, as of July 31, 2024, due to approval as 7-12 Principal; Amber Metzger, School Counselor as of July 31, 2024.
The following employment for 23-24 school year was approved: Casey Massie, tutor through June 30, 2024.
The following employments for the 24-25 school year were approved for: Michelle Steffes, Middle School Spelling Bee Advisor; Candiate Vickery, JH Science Teacher, 150 HR Index, 0-year experience; Brenna LaLonde, Guidance Counselor 7-12 + 20 extended days, Masters, 1-year experience; Nate Meuschke, Multi-Task Aide, 0-year experience; Julie Peebles, Multi-Task Aide, 1-year experience.
Richard Custar, JV Football Coach, 0-year experience; Brayden Gorsuch and Dalton Bauer, Volunteer Assistant Football Coaches, pending completion of all credentials
The following donations were accepted: West Unity American Legion Post 669 donated 5 x 8 Flag; Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams County Farm bureau donated book, “My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me” by Roxanne Troup; The Hilltop Athletic Boosters donated the following: $3,000 to the Football Program to help pay for Football Helmets and Guardian Caps, $2,000 to the Football Program to help pay for equipment, $1,600 to the Cheer Program to help pay for equipment; donations to the FFA for the FFA Banquet; the additions, revenue increases and appropriations modifications to eight funds.
The following cafeteria meal price updates for the 24-25 school year were approved: Rescind the adult breakfast price approved in May for $3.75 to be corrected at $2.75; adult salad only prices are $3.50; Approval was then granted to rescind 2024-2025 Tutor contract for Mandy Patten; a mended 2024-2025 Tutor contract for Many Patten; the following handbooks for 24-25 school year: elementary handbooks K-6; Summary of Changes; Junior High/High School Handbooks 7-12; Summary of Changes; Memorandum of Understanding with Defiance College of the hosting of Defiance College teacher education candidates,
The board then approved the Resolution of Necessity to levy a renewal tax for Safety and Security in excess of the ten-million limitation. This levy funds the school resource officer.
With no other business to discuss the board adjourned their meeting at 6:16pm. Following the regular board meeting, the district Records Commission met.
Millcreek-West Unity Local Board of Education will hold their next meeting on Monday, July 8th at 7:00am in the High School Conference Room.