Following an hour long executive session, the Pettisville Board of Education approved five-year contracts for three long time administrators: Jason Waldvogel as Elementary Principal, Chris Lee as District Treasurer, and Brian Leppelmeier as Athletic Director.
Also approved following the executive session was the retirement of Tom Wagner as a fifth and sixth grade Social Studies teacher. Wagner, who has taught for 36 years at Pettisville, will continue as the cross country and track coach for the 2017-2018 school year, positions he has held for 35 and 36 years, respectively.
A motion to extend the early notice stipend, which awards a departing employee ten days of severance if the resignation is submitted by March 15th, to April 21st for 2017 was also approved following executive session. This serves as an incentive for early resignation notices to allow the district to get into the hiring field early to get the best possible candidates, according to Superintendent Steve Switzer.
In the regular portion of the meeting, the board authorized continuing membership in the Northwest Ohio Educational Research Council at a cost of $200. The board also offered one-year limited contracts to Luann Bacon, John Poulson, and Charles Nafziger. All retired and were rehired.
Julia Richer was awarded a one-year contract while Ryan Briley, Donna Meller, and Amanda Wyman were awarded three-year limited contracts and Shannon Borton was offered a five-year contract. Andrew Switzer was also offered a one year teaching contract after a recommendation from High School Principal Michael Lane.
In his principal report, Lane reported that Gabe Beck, the school’s Class of 2017 top scholar, was selected as Fulton County’s winner for the Franklin B. Walter Scholarship, earning $500 and a trip to Columbus for a special recognition luncheon hosted by the Ohio Educational Service Center Association.
Lane also announced junior Samantha Tilley won a Silver Medal in the National 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her linocut, A Conversation in the Park. The piece is currently on display at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
“We really have an outstanding art teacher. To [teach] grades K-12 takes patience to teach those lessons every single day from kindergarten to seniors and keep them where they need to be,” he said the district’s art teacher, Joyce Nafziger.
Continuing with student recognition, Lane told the board that the Pettisville FCCLA Chapter received the Ohio Outstanding FCCLA Chapter Award and junior Sarah Beck had her design selected for the cover of the 2017 Fulton County Senior Fair Book.
Jacob Dennis, Gretchen Lee, and Jordan Skates recently presented at the Ohio Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at Bowling Green State University, Lane said. The competition included a 12 minute PowerPoint presentation of student research and a three minute questioning period by a panel of research scientists.
Skates places fourth overall, winning $500 and an opportunity to present at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in San Diego, CA at the end of April. Other students presenting posters to a BGSU professor from their field of research were Jessie McWatters, Tommy McWatters, Dalton Myers, Mackenzi Rivera, Aaron Rupp, Matthew Rupp, Madeline Shumaker, and Heath Waidelich.
“Congratulations to our students who challenge themselves with sciece projects that prepare them extremely well for their future endeavors. With science teachers Mrs. Donna Mella, Mr. John Pulson, and Mr. Payl Bishop supporting the student’s efforts, the future looks bright for each of the participants,” he said.
Finally, Lane discussed Ohio’s state test and graduation requirements. Although there is concern from parents and the community, he said, Lane believes that the entire class of 2018 will meet graduation requirements.
Pettisville Elementary School Principal, Jason Waldvogel, told the board that the March 3rd kindegaten registration and screenings process was attended by 32 prospective students. Late registations will be accepted by calling the school to schedule an individual appointment.
The 2nd grade consumer fair is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2 from 1:00 pm-3 pm in the Atrium. The classes are still discussing where to donate the proceeds, with a possibility being local food pantries, Waldvogel said.
Waldvogel also reported that the Response to Intervention team of himself, Mrs. Barb Stuckey, and classroom teachers are holding final meetings and preparing to asses each K-6 student and determine their growth in reading and math over the course of the year.
Upcoming elementary dates include the completion of state testing, a kindergarten trip to the recycling center (April 21), fifth and sixth grade picnic and talent show (May 5), fourth grade visit to Fort Meigs (May 5), a fifth grade field trip to wetlands and Harrison Lake State Park (May 30), a third grade field trip to Sauder’s Museum (May 31), and a visit to the Toledo Botanical Gardens (June 1).
In his report, Superintendent Steve Switzer told the board that a $650 memorial to former board member Lawrence King was donated by the Roger Rupp family and Rupp Seed to the Pettisville Athletic Boosters.
Switzer also announced that the school’s wind turbine set a March turbine record with a generation of over 150,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), beating the previous 2014 record by nearly 20,000 kWh.
Ryan Kopko, a consultant from RKS, has been working to better coordinate the school’s turbine and building energy systems, which has included making adjustments to transfer energy load from the natural gas boilers to the electric geothermal system. After his adjustment, the boiler accounted for 47 percent of the total natural gas use, compared to 62 percent from previous winters, Switzer said.
Kopko and Pat O’Neil are also scheduled to meet with Switzer on April 18 to discuss lighting energy upgrades and look at ways to maximize Toledo Edison’s rebate program for energy upgrades.
“We’re looking at the junior high gym, possibly the varsity gym, and outside lighting, which seems like an anomaly since the building’s only six years old, but things like this may pay back. These two gentlemen will help us to balance our unique situation with that saving energy doesn’t necessarily mean we’re saving money,” he said.
The next board meeting will be held May 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm in the East Conference Room.