STUDENTS OF THE MONTH … Pictured here are most of the Montpelier Students of the Month. In front, left to right, are Kayson Slane, Kellen Snow, and Michael Davidson. In the back, left to right, are Ava Lyon, Caius Long, Luxi Fry, and Bailey Abrams. Not pictured were Alizabeth Cromie, John Cromie, and Lilean Wilson.
The Montpelier Board of Education met on April 9th at 5:30 p.m. Present were members Nate Rose, Patti Rockey, Jen Schlosser, Troy Roth, and Dunne Gambler.
Also present were Superintendent Jamison Grime, elementary school principal Lance Thorp, high school principal Su Thorp, and Treasurer Carla Rice.
After a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance, archery coach Kaitlin Harter shared the most recent activities seen by the 70 Archery Club members, with news that one archer will be sent to a national competition in May, with it being shared that Ashlyn Harter is being evaluated for the opportunity.
Science teacher and Robotics Club advisor Lester Orndorff shared the most recent happening of the Robotics Club, showing off this season’s three robots, and explaining the 3-D printing process used in their creation.
Then, the students of the month were honored as follows: Kayson Slane, kindergarten; Kellen Snow, 2nd grade; Michael Davidson, 3rd grade; Ava Lyon, 3rd grade; Caius Long, 4th grade; Lilean Wilson, 4th grade; Alizabeth Cromie, 5th grade; Luxi Fry, 6th grade; John Cromie, 7th grade; Bailey Abrams, 8th grade, and high school student Katie Terry.
Superintendent Grime then discussed adding another social worker, as the caseload has become too much for one.
An update was given on House Bill 445, which would revise the code around policies for released time courses in religious instruction, House Bill 468, which revised the code regarding the presentation of information on patriotic organizations, and then Mr. Thorp began his report.
He shared that the elementary school saw 41 students at the mobile dentist, a successful parent education night put on by the Health Department featuring Screenagers, a 16-student strong mini manufacturing day at Northwest State was held, and F&M Bank was thanked for their thoughtful donation of eclipse glasses for the entire kindergarten through 6th grades.
State testing is to begin on April 16th, and Roy Rozelle will speak about Arbor Day with the students on April 19th, where he will add a new tree to the orchard and send every kindergartener home with a sapling.
The Montpelier Preschool will see a field trip on April 22nd, where they will be introduced to the current kindergarten students and their teachers. The district art gallery will take place April 29th through May 2nd, with the Spring school concert at 3 p.m.
May 1st will see the 4th grade students attending a Toledo Symphony Brass Quintet performance, and Grandparents Day activities will take place on May 2nd, with a K-2 family dance planned for May 3rd.
Sauder Village will see the 3rd graders on May 8th, which is the same day that the 4th graders are going to see a Mud Hens game.
Spangler Candy World and the Williams County Historical Museum will be visited by the 5th graders on May 9th, and the annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is planned for May 13th, provided by The House of Prayer.
May 14th will be Water Day for the 4th graders, where they plan to engage Sandy Gordon from the Montpelier Parks Board.
Mrs. Thorp began sharing that E3 day was last Wednesday, and thanks was given for the early dismissal so that students could see the eclipse.
On May 2nd, the juniors tour the courthouse, an annual tradition, and May 7th, everyone go to Bryan High School to hear from Chris Herren.
On May 8th, the 8th graders travel to Toledo for the JS Inspire Fair, the 4th year attending, and invitations have been sent out for summer school.
Other dates announced included: Testing will begin on April 22nd, set to end on the 26th, and prom is set for April 27th; Senior Scholarship Banquet is set for April 29th, and the next blood drive is on May 3rd; May 15th will see baccalaureate, and May 17th will be signing day; May 19th and 20th will see the senior trip, and May 22nd will see graduation rehearsal, with the last day of school for students set as May 23rd.
Mrs. Rice shared that at the end of March, 75% of the fiscal year will be completed, and 71.46% of taxes have been collected. 75% of the estimated expenditures have been spent, and the investment report was approved.
Also approved were the minutes of the March 12, 2024 meeting, as were the financial reports as presented, which included accepting donations from the following: Montpelier Chamber of Commerce, Black Swamp Arts Council, Superior Farm Supply, and the Athletic Boosters.
The superintendent’s recommendations were approved as presented, which included employment and service contracts, as well as all items listed under “other business,” which included the Teacher Appreciation Week proclamation, the 2024-2025 handbooks and various regulations, and the Archery Club trip to Louisville, Kentucky, on May 9th.
The board then entered into executive session to discuss a district employee at 6:40 p.m., set to meet next May 14th in the choir room at 5:30 p.m.