PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD … Sarah Luthy (right), a high school math teacher, was presented with the Golden Eagle Award from School Resource Officer Stephanie Mills (left) at the North Central Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, November 25.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The North Central Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, November 25, in the school auditeria.
Board members in attendance were Kati Burt, Chuck Haynes, Tim Livengood, John Huffman, and Dustin Meyers. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the first-grade students of Mrs. McKayla Ayers, followed by the roll call.
School Resource Officer Stephanie Mills gave a presentation regarding the recipient of this year’s Golden Eagle Award, which was handed out for the first time.
The award, which was presented to high school math teacher Sarah Luthy, recognized her for outstanding dedication and service in focusing on a safe and supportive school environment.
“Today we get to celebrate an individual who has exemplified dedication, passion, and truly going above and beyond for the students in our school community,” said Mills.
“She (Luthy) has the reputation for transforming complex learning into an experience that is deeply engaging.
“Her way of educating each and every one of her students is unique and works well with whatever they need. She also stands out in all the students’ minds and hearts.”
The board accepted donations from Mrs. Bobbie Clark, wife of a North Central alumnus, who donated a framed 1955 baseball jersey and varsity letter sweater, and $407.63 from Fix and Fab, Pioneer, for the backpack program.
Superintendent Mike Bute updated the board on the cell phone policy. He pointed out that a new addendum has been added to the current cell phone policy courtesy of House Bill No. 96, which has become state law. It would mean that no cell phones will be used during lunchtime.
Director of Food Services Rob Taylor gave a presentation regarding the district’s food and nutritional standards for the current school year.
He pointed out that the district currently offers a whole grain, fruit, and milk for breakfast and for lunch, meat, a meat alternative, a whole grain, a fruit, a vegetable, and milk.
“Where it gets tricky as the Department of Education, of course, likes to change the rules. This year, they changed it for breakfast. You must take three items, and at lunch you must take three components,” said Taylor.
“Today we had an egg and cheese biscuit, juice, fruit, and milk. You must take three of those four items. But at lunch, you must take three components.
“For example, you can take a piece of pizza and milk, that’s considered a lunch, because you have the grain, the vegetable in the pizza sauce, and you have the meat alternative in the pizza toppings. That’s where it gets weird for the students.”
Bute discussed the process for school calendar options for the 2026-27 school year. He told board members he will be working with the liaison committee and will come up with no more than three K-12 calendar options to provide for the entire staff to vote on.
It would then go to the board of education with the intent to provide the calendar for the community to have input on it before finally being approved at the February meeting.
Elementary Principal Brent Saneholtz reported the upcoming Right to Read Week activities taking place the week of December 15-19, with this year’s theme being “The Joy of Reading”.
An assembly in partnership with the Elementary PTO for elementary students will be held on Monday, December 15, called the “Quest of Kindness,” which is a social and emotional learning program. The Christmas program will take place on Thursday, December 18, at 6:15 p.m. in the varsity gym.
Junior and Senior High School Principal Martha Hasselbusch reported that there have been 60 students who have gone through disciplinary referrals since the start of school in August. The high school music concert will be held on Wednesday, December 10.
The board approved a snow removal and maintenance agreement with Runyan’s Lawn Solutions of Edon at $120 per hour (price per man-hour on the job), along with salt application at $25 per bag.
McKayla Ayers was employed on a one-year contract as a first-grade teacher effective November 5 for the 2025-26 school year. She has been teaching since August.
The board approved supplemental coaching contracts to Brady Wolfrum (boys 7th grade basketball), Randy Mills (assistant girls softball), Jimmy Lawson (girls 7th and 8th grade basketball), Lindsey Eckley (entry year mentor), Nick Henry (volunteer junior high boys basketball), and Malena Lawson (volunteer high school girls basketball).
Approval was given for an overnight stay on October 24-25 for the cross country team, who competed in the Division IV regional cross country meet in Tiffin.
The board also heard a presentation about Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) from three high school students talking about the recent activities in the school.
The board went into executive session to discuss employment, but no action was taken.
The next regular board meeting is set for Tuesday, December 16, at 6:00 p.m., with a board work session taking place at 5:00 p.m.