PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RISING INSURANCE COSTS … Pettisville Local School District will see an almost 18% increase in liability, fleet, and property insurance for fiscal year 2025.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
On Monday, June 10 the Pettisville School Board met for a brief meeting with Brent Hoylman, Scott Rupp, Barry Hoylman, Justin Rufenacht, and Pam Skates in attendance. Sitting in on behalf of the administrative team were Treasurer Chris Lee, and Superintendent Josh Clark.
In his report, Treasurer Lee brought before the Board a request to approve Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority (SORSA) as the liability, fleet, and property insurance carrier for fiscal year 2025 at a cost of $49,805.
Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority SORSA is a non-profit, member-owned consortium governed by public school administrators and managed by insurance professionals, and provides property, bus fleet, and educator liability insurance to public schools in Ohio.
Lee shared that the 2025 cost reflects an increase of $7,553 (almost 18%) from 2024 which “seems alarming.” According to the SORSA agent for the school, the 2025 increase is a result of significantly large claims within the consortium due to a “number of windstorms both inside and outside of Ohio.”
Lee reviewed the district’s insurance costs through SORSA over the last ten years and observed that rate increases historically averaged approximately 4% per year.
Lee noted that claims in 2024 to date are more comparable to those from prior years, suggesting that the expected increase for 2026 should align more closely with historical trends.
Despite the increase, Lee believes membership of the SORSA consortium for insurance needs is still the most cost-effective option for the district.
Speaking on other financial matters, Treasurer Lee noted the action items being presented were “housekeeping” in nature.
Upon his request, the Board approved Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriation Modifications and Certificate of Resources, Fiscal Year 2025 Temporary Appropriations and Revenues, an advance of $34,812.50 from the General Fund to the Turbine Fund and the repayment to the General Fund of an advance in the amount of $9,246.60 made to the Athletic Fund in June 2023.
The board also authorized the treasurer to make any modifications and adjustments necessary to close the fiscal year and report those at the next regular meeting.
Addressing the Consent Agenda, the board accepted minutes from its May 2024 meeting, financial reports as presented by the treasurer, and approved the payment of bills.
In personnel matters, the board accepted resignations from Barb Bongiorno, Custodian (retirement), Dylan Leu, Baseball, and Samantha Durbin, Paraprofessional.
Planning for the 2024-2025 school year, supplemental contracts were approved for the following staff members in their respective roles:
Andy Switzer: National Honor Society Advisor and Junior High Scholastic Quiz; Sydney Wagenhauser: Senior Class Advisor; Joe Delphia: Art Club Advisor and Lariat Advisor; Greg Waidelich: Elementary and High School STEAM Club; Dee Dixon: Lariat Advisor, Pet Echoes Advisor, and Fall Play Director; Shannon Saffell: Morning Supervision; Paul Bishop: Fall Faculty Manager; Donna Meller: Science Fair Coordinator and Freshman Class Advisor; Duane Beck: Lead Musical Director, Elementary Musical Director, Vocal Music Director, and Junior Class Advisor; John Horning: Parking Lot Supervisor and Faculty Manager; Jan Litogot: FCCLA Advisor
In athletics, the following supplemental contracts were approved: Gabe Jaramillo: Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track, Assistant Track; Barnaby Wyse: Varsity Soccer; Gabe Beck: Varsity Soccer Special Assistant; Audra Klopfenstein: Junior High Soccer; Mike Zimmerman: Varsity Golf; Tom Lammers: Varsity Golf Special Assistant; Kevin Boyers: Junior High Golf; April Beck: Varsity Volleyball, Volleyball Open Gym, Volleyball Camp; Rachel Horning: Volleyball Special Assistant; Kayla Heising: JV Volleyball; McCrae Kidston: 9th Grade Volleyball, 8th Grade Girls Basketball; Chelsea Waidelich: 8th Grade Volleyball; Lynae Waidelich: 7th Grade Volleyball; Jason Waldvogel: Varsity Girl Basketball and Open Gym Girls Basketball; Nate Fox: Girls Basketball Special Assistant; Kendra Stahl: JV Girls Basketball; Samantha Durbin: 7th Grade Girls Basketball; Brian Leppelmeier: Varsity Boys Basketball, Open Gym Boys Basketball, Summer Clinic Boys Basketball; Michael Schrock: Boys Basketball Special Assistant; Greg Waidelich: JV Boys Basketball and Weight Room; Zach Pursel: 9th Boys Basketball ; Chad Aeschliman: 8th Grade Boys Basketball; Eli King: 7th Grade Boys Basketball; Carissa Beck: Varsity Cheerleading; Paul Bishop: Varsity Baseball; John Horning: Baseball Special Assistant; Steve Hastings: Varsity Softball, Special Assistant Softball; Chris Richer: Varsity Softball, Special Assistant Softball; Marty Rupp: Varsity Track, Assistant Track; Casey Underwood: Junior High Track; Chris Thuma: JV Soccer; Mike Harmon – Special Assistant Track; Zach Morrison: Volunteer Track; Brianne Damman: Volunteer Track; Jonah Harmon: Volunteer Weight Room; Eli Norr: Baseball Volunteer.
The board also authorized the correction of Amy Murrey’s contract to reflect a 5-year term.
In his report, Superintendent Clark shared with the board that staff recently took part in a professional development opportunity focusing on cybersecurity and how to protect student and parent data noting that “it was pretty eye-opening.”
Clark shared that Regina Reidling has been chosen to serve as the district’s new band and instrumental music teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.
Reidling, who is originally from Pemberville, has previous experience working with school music programs for Fostoria, Van Buren, and Patrick Henry schools.
The board approved Reidling’s employment and also authorized Justin Rufenacht to serve as a Volunteer Boys’ Basketball Coach.
The next Pettisville Board of Education meeting is slated for Monday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m.
