(PHOTO BY BRIANNA BALOGH / THEVILLAGE REPORTER)
PERSONNEL DISCUSSION … Superintendent Lichty and Treasurer Carla Rice discuss special board meeting for staff rehire.
By: Brianna Balogh
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Board of Education welcomed a few government students and a soon to be teacher at the monthly meeting on Tuesday April 15.
Called to order by President Nate Rose at 5:30 p.m., a moment of silence was observed before the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll call was taken by Treasurer Carla Rice. All members were in attendance and are as follows: Dunne Gambler, Jennifer Schlosser, Troy Roth, Patti Rockey, and President Nate Rose. Also in attendance were Superintendent Travis Lichty, Elementary Principal Lance Thorp, and Junior High/High School Principal Su Thorp.
Superintendent Lichty started business off with a required discussion relating to the retire/rehire of Executive Secretary Pam Pawlowicz. Also required is a public notice 60 days prior, which would be going out the following day.
The Board of Education will also hold a special meeting on May 28th at 8:00 a.m. to allow for any public discussion relating to this intent to rehire. Several board members verified they would be able to attend the special meeting being held in the board office.
With no public participants present, Rockey presented the legislative report. Several bills are being discussed in the Ohio House of Representatives which could impact the Board of Education and the school district. Ohio House Bill 28 seeks to eliminate the authority to levy replacement property tax levies.
House Bill 129 would amend sections 319.301 and 5705.314 of the Revised Code to limit the ability of school districts to reallocate unvoted property tax millage and to include certain property and school district income taxes in the calculation of a school district’s effective millage floor.
House Bill 186 addresses school district property taxes and school funding formula. Rice added that these topics were also discussed at the conference last week along with several other concerns.
Top on the list of concerns for Rice and Superintendent Lichty were economic issues. Reductions are to be expected as well as the potential shifting from a 5 year forecast to 3 year forecast.
Lichty also added that if more than 30% of the expenditure is carried over, a penalty and reduced tax revenue could be incurred. As he stated, “It’s like being penalized for being a good steward with your money.”
Lichty continued with legislative updates from a meeting that morning, including House Bill 8 relating to religious release times, House Bill 104 ‘the bathroom bill’, and DEI related initiatives.
Lichty was able to certify that DEI was not in the school policy and funding would not be affected. Lichty felt like the school was in a good position relating to all the topics discussed and did not see issues moving forward with these.
Principals’ reports followed with Elementary Principal Lance Thorp first highlighting a recent field trip. 26 students attended a mini manufacturing day at Northwest State Community College.
Students participated in several manufacturing-related stations, like building a catapult, personal protective equipment lessons, structure building, and sorting races and a box-building competition hosted by Spangler’s Candy Company.
After completing boxes, students were then presented with a robot to compare how quickly and efficiently the robot was able to build the same boxes. Lance Thorp was impressed with the amount of interest, stating that normally there are approximately 16 students that attend.
He followed with state testing updates, which had begun last week with ELA. This week was used as a catch-up week in case any students missed, and next week would begin math, followed by fifth grade science.
So far testing has gone really well minus a few ants who found their way into some of the morning snacks that were donated for students.
Upcoming events and dates to note for the elementary are interim reports coming out on Thursday, an Arbor Day presentation for first grade on April 25th, Grandparents Day on May 1st for K-2, the K-12 art show starting May 1st as well, the spring concert on May 4th at 3:00 p.m., Right to Read Week beginning May 5th with the camping-related theme ‘Adventure Awaits,’ a fourth grade recorder recital May 7th, and fourth grade will also participate in Water Day with the Parks and Recreation Department, Soil and Water Conservation Department, and the Health Department.
Next was the 7-12 principal report with Su Thorp, who welcomed the government students attending. A recent highlight was the music department taking a trip to Washington D.C. over spring break, allowing students the opportunity to perform at the Lincoln Memorial.
NHS induction was held in March which honors new inductees as well as the outgoing Senior members. Last Tuesday saw all high school students visit either local manufacturers or colleges.
On May 2nd a blood drive will be held at the rec center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The blood drive directly affects the scholarship amount which will be presented to one Montpelier student.
Currently the amount is at $1000 but if 32 more units are collected at the blood drive, the amount will be raised to $1500, which would be the most ever received from the Red Cross.
Su Thorp continued with the announcement of the summer school dates, scheduled for June 2nd through 13th, for credit recovery for graduation.
Taking place, the following day will be the mock crash at the fairgrounds, which had been rescheduled due to weather, with many local high schools attending. Also on Wednesday, 15 seniors will be attending a Shakespearean play in Toledo.
Recently both principals attended Bowling Green State University and University of Toledo job fair. S. Thorp was very impressed with the number of quality candidates for future teaching positions. There had been far fewer in the past.
Looking ahead, state testing will begin on Monday April 21st. Slightly different from the elementary school, where state testing is spaced out, all state testing will be completed in one week for grades 7-12.
Prom is quickly approaching on April 26th at the Superior Building with post-prom to follow, and students will be transported to Fort Wayne by bus.
The Senior Banquet will be held on May 5th honoring all seniors receiving local scholarships. The last PBIS assembly will be held in May. Baccalaureate will be held on May 14th. Signing Day will take place on May 16th, with many colleges and local manufacturers on site for signing in the gym; lunch will also be provided.
Finishing out her report, she reminded everyone of the graduation rehearsal on May 21st at 10:30 a.m. and the graduation ceremony on May 25th. The last day for students is May 21st.
Superintendent Lichty was next with his report, which was combined with the treasurer’s report due to similar topics. Starting things off with an update on the lighting project, which was originally discussed to span two summers to conserve the permanent improvement fund. Lichty stated that, with economic uncertainty and the likely increase to the original quote of approximately $360,000, completing the project in one summer was the ideal approach.
Treasurer Rice continued with financial figures, which she provided to the board, relating to the lighting project’s reduced timeline. Rice stated that the company, Energy Optimizers, was flexible with the payment schedule.
The final bill will be due in September, with two payments of $105,000 each due in July and August. The real estate tax settlement expected in August will bolster the funds with an estimated amount of $243,000 based on the county auditor’s data.
Another project planned for completion is the parking lot and sound system upgrade. The parking lot PO would be submitted ASAP. Rice explained there is approximately $40,000 remaining in the maintenance fund which must be used by the end of the year.
These funds could be used to upgrade the sound system prior to next year’s musical. Lichty explained that things are starting to need replacement such as lighting, sound system, and blacktop.
Lichty then congratulated Athletic Director Joe Brigle, who was awarded as the NWOIAA Athletic Director of the year. The Northwest Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association is a subdivision of the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
Next, Lichty introduced and welcomed Wyatt Lang. Currently Lang is enrolled at BGSU completing his student teaching and will be employed as the sixth grade math teacher.
Moving along to some transportation dilemmas, Lichty explained that two of the recently purchased school buses continue to have several problems.
While nothing debilitating or that would make them inoperable, these issues still need to be fixed and are not expected to be happening with the new vehicles.
Lichty echoed Su Thorp’s congratulations to the recent NHS inductees. H also expressed gratitude for the recent success of Parent Education Night. He also provided the board with a handout of the updated enrollment package.
The final item on the Superintendent’s report was an opportunity Lichty was presented with through membership with Ohio School Councils, which he would like to explore more. Lichty took part in a Zoom meeting with Arcadia Towers, who are interested in installing cell towers on school property at no cost to the school.
Two areas were identified, one at the main campus and one at the Superior Building. The required plot would be a 50-foot area and would provide $20,000 per year to the school. An additional $1,000 would be provided for legal fees, as well as $10,000 for the inconvenience during construction.
Lichty stated he was highly interested and planned on using some of the revenue to continue to provide free athletic event admission to students.
The rest of the revenue he would like to see go to school safety and security whether it be extra devices, supplies, equipment, or training.
Lichty explained this was a preliminary exploration phase and that he would be able to provide more information in the future. Roth asked if the cell tower would be as conspicuous as the wind turbines seen in other communities, and Lichty assured they would not be near that size.
He stated he had concerns as well about where the towers would be placed, as he did not want them front and center on the property.
Schlosser asked about maintenance, especially lawn care, to which Lichty responded that mowing would be required but only outside of the fenced area around the tower.
The towers could potentially provide other benefits such as better signal for radios as well as offering leasing opportunities for WIFI equipment or even emergency services using the tower to boost access in the community.
The next item on the agenda was to waive the reading and approve of the previous meeting minutes. The board had no discussion or questions. The motion to approve was made by Roth, seconded by Rose, and approved by all.
Financial report followed with four recommendations.
The first recommendation was to approve the financial reports for March. Presented to the board were the bank reconciliation, cash summary report, distribution report, budget vs. actual report and the investment report.
The second recommendation was to accept donations to the Skilled Trades Scholarship totaling $4,750.00. Bryan Area Foundation donated $4,000, Altenloh Brinck and Co. donated $450, and Moore industries donated $300. Also for approval was a donation of $75 to the band from the Chamber of Commerce.
The third recommendation was to approve the appropriation modification and adjusted estimated revenue as presented. This recommendation was for an increase to the Ohio K-12 internet access, which increased from $3,600 to $3,982.
The fourth and final recommendation was to approve a return of an advance of $3,8323.85 from the athletic fund to the general fund originally approved in Board Resolution 103-24.
All recommendations were approved with Roth making the motion and Schlosser seconding.
Moving along to staff recommendations. The first was to approve the certified staff contracts for 2025-2026. This was followed by the approval of the resignation of Leslieann Wheeler, mathematics teacher, effective July 31st, and the approval to employ Wyatt Lang as the 6th grade mathematics teacher for the 2025-2026 school year, pending all requirements are met.
Next was a recommendation to employ Christiana Bauer as the Elementary PE teacher. A recommendation to approve David Bauer and Lester Orndorff as summer technology assistants at $19.00 per hour, not to exceed 300 hours, effective May 13th, 2025, through August 13th 2025 was also made.
The summer custodian recommendation followed, with Hollie Carrol and Carolyn Hopper at $17.44 an hour. The final recommendation was to approve Jordan Birdsall, Stacey Brown, Lauren Rickenberg, Amanda Seiler, and Bailey Woods for Kindergarten screening May 27th and 28th at $21.00 per hour and a maximum of 14 hours. The motion to approve all recommendations was made by Gambler and seconded by Roth.
The classified staff recommendation for the 2025-2026 school year followed. A recommendation to approve Carla Rice for consulting services as needed, at a maximum of 50 hours from August 8th, 2025, through July 31st, 2026, brought up a question from Rockey.
She asked why a consultant, who typically would not receive full benefits, was listed under employee. Rice explained that it is because of STRS regulations which is not typical in most business environments.
The next recommendation was to approve the retirement of Douglas Wood as groundskeeper/custodian effective July 31st. Elaine Woodward, as a part of her continuing contract, was then assigned to second shift custodian effective March 31st, 2025.
A recommendation was made to approve the amendment to the addendum to the contract of Kaitlin (Tippin) Widener, district substitute, for the 2025-2026 school year. When voting, Gambler clarified if this was a stand-alone item she would be voting no.
Chasity Schmitt was employed as a cook, for 6 hours per day, effective March 31st, 2025, through June 30, 2025. The recommendation to approve Robin Yagelski for Kindergarten screening at $17.18 per hour, maximum of 14 hours, followed.
Approval was given for Tyler Benner as assistant baseball coach for the current school year, followed by approval of Jamie Motter, Gloria Reader, and Braylon Hopper as summer custodians at $17.44 per hour for the current year.
The final two recommendations were to add Irene Ortega to the substitute cafeteria list for the current year and to add Laura Brown to both the substitute cafeteria and substitute aide lists for the current year. All recommendations were passed with the motion by Rose and seconded by Roth.
The next agenda item was to approve the resolution to authorize, according to ORS 167.081, the agreement with Energy Optimizers for district facility improvement and energy savings projects without the need to engage in competitive bidding.
The resolution also authorizes the superintendent, treasurer and board president to work with legal counsel to negotiate and execute a contract and to sign and related documents including the 412 certificate.
The work is not to exceed the amount of $365,540. This subject being discussed earlier in the meeting presented no discussion in front of the board and was quickly approved with Rose making the motion.
The meeting closed with several recommendations under other business, starting with the Teacher Appreciation Week Proclamation.
This was followed by several handbook approvals for the 2025-2026 school year: Junior High/High School Handbook 2025-2026, Athletic Handbook, Junior High/High School Coaches Rules, Drug Testing Handbook, and the Elementary School Student Parent Handbook. Gambler asked Principal Su Thorp how the cell phone policy was working out in which Thorp replied she felt it was going very well.
A recommendation to approve the Archery nations trip to Louisville, Kentucky from May 8th through the 10th followed. The final recommendation was to approve the 2025-2026 Student Accident Coverage with Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company.
The motion to approve all other business recommendations was made by Rockey, seconded by Gambler, and approved by all board members.
With no need for an executive session, a motion to adjourn was made by Gambler. All approved with the meeting adjourning at 6:20 p.m.