GRANT MONEY … Elementary teacher Don Leu received a $2,500 grant from the Bryan Eagles, which will be used to purchase a weather station. This will replace the outdated unit that the Hilltop Elementary school now has. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The March 14th Hilltop School Board meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. Three of the five board members, Brian Wieland, Heather Jones and Randy Mahlman, were in attendance.
Jim Wyse then gave the superintendent’s report. Wyse gave a NEOLA update, reported the NwOESC Business Advisory Council meeting minutes from the December quarterly meeting and then reported on the NwOESC Business Advisory Council annual report.
Elementary principal Laurie Worline then gave a report. First, a mobile dentist was at the school January 18th and 19th.
Fifty-one patients were seen, 18 sealants were given, 66 x-rays were taken and 28 procedures were conducted on 13 patients. Also, seven patients, with 34 procedures, were referred to other dentists.
Kindergarten screening for the class of 2035 will be held April 13-14. Currently, 26 students are signed up. A registration form is posted on the elementary school website.
Fourth grade teacher Don Leu received a $2,500 grant from the Bryan Eagles. Leu will be using the money to purchase a weather station, replacing the current outdated unit.
The Eagles have applied for the $2,500 grant through the state. That would provide the technology to connect to Weather Bug and WTOL-TV Channel 11.
Fifth grader Tina Dickinson won the grades 5-8 spelling bee and took a computerized test that will enable her to compete in The Blade Spelling Bee.
If she can win, she would compete in a week-long, all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
On March 2nd, the kindergarten through third graders celebrated Dr. Suess’s birthday by participating in Dr. Suess activities.
Attendance for preschool through sixth grade totalled 307 students for February.
Steve Riley then gave the grades 7-12 principal’s report. A total of 22 different students were awarded student of the month by their teacher for January and 21 more different students won the award from their teacher, for February.
The Hilltop Science Fair was held on Saturday, February 12th. The following junior high students won awards. Getting Excellent Ratings were Jonathan Dunsworth, Blake Turkington, Nathan Wieland and Shawntia Wagner.
Achieving Superior Ratings were Isabella Ackley, Molly Dickinson, Hayden JoHantgen, Brooklyn Kuszmaul, Brynn Rodriguez, Kenley Routt, Jordan Schaffner, Lakota Siegel and Joseph Williams.
High school students garnering Excellent Ratings were Gabby Rodriguez, Matayvia VanZile, Jasmine Varnado, Destiny Wilson, Annika Wright and Aubri Wyatt.
Receiving Superior Ratings were Jayma Bailey, James Bell, Bryce Buehrer, Ella Calvin, Kacy Connolly, Ericka Dennison, Aiden Funkhouser, Mia Hancock, Hunter Leupp, Madisyn Routt, Julia Schuurman, Ragen Roesch and Ranie Roesch.
Lakota Siegel earned the Sumner Award for the top junior high project and Kacy Connolly earned the Sumner Award at the high school level.
Students who received either an excellent or superior rating went on to present their project at the regional science fair at Northwest State Community College on February 26th. Twelve students earned awards there.
Hancock and Varnado received Excellent Ratings. Getting Superior Ratings were Bell, Calvin (top 10%), Funkhouser, Leupp (top 10%), Gabby Rodriguez, Ranie Roesch (top 10%), Madisyn Routt, Schuurman (top 10%) and Wright.
This past weekend, the Hilltop Drama Club performed “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Thanks goes out to Mr. Cooper, musical director, Mrs. Ward, assistant musical director and to members of the Hilltop Music Boosters, as well as to the entire cast and stage crew, for outstanding work.
Seniors performing for the last time were Keely Burdine, Ella Calvin, Jamie Chester, Elijah Kuszmaul and Allison McKinney.
State testing will take place on April 5-7, 19-20 and 21-22. School enrollment for grades 7-12 for February was 238.4.
The board then approved of the minutes from the February board meeting.
The board then approved of 13 other areas concerning the consent agenda: the service agreement with the N.W. Ohio Educational Service for $319,397.83 for 2023, worth 24 payments; 2022 membership with West Unity Chamber of Commerce; the state bus grant ; transferring of $2,000,000 from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund for construction of the facilities.
Also approved in the consent agreement were revenue increases for bus grant, general fund and permanent improvement; participation in the OHI Charter Workers Compensation Group Rating Program for 2023; agreement with NBEC/NWOCA to provide district internet access for the next four years; the non-renewal of all supplemental contracts at the end of the school year; an overnight stay for FFA members to attend the Ohio State FFA Convention, May 4-6 and post prom event at Urban Air Adventure Park, leaving Saturday, April 30 and returning May 1.
Approval was also granted for: Sidney Fogle as a sub-cafeteria employee; accept the resignation of Austin Thiel, mechanic/maintenance worker, effective March 18; granting a diploma to Everett Thompson on March 15, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code; and approving the following graduate study requests of William Geis, three semester hours through Augustana University; Conner English, three semester hours through Augustana University and Tony Gerig, strategies for student success, three semester hours through Augustana University.
The board then approved to adjourn the meeting.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com
