(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
VACANT SEAT FILLED … Chase Stuckey takes the oath to serve on the Stryker Board of Education.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Stryker Local Schools Board Meeting was held on April 21, at 5:30 p.m. All members were present at the meeting, including Sharon von Seggern, Dan Hughes, Emily Clemens, and Brent Froelich. Superintendent Nate Johnson, Treasurer Jill Peters, and Dean of Students Beth Morr were also in attendance.
Board President Brent Froelich led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then quickly moved forward to appoint Chase Stuckey to the current open seat.
His term will begin April 21, 2025 and end on December 31, 2025. Stuckey recited his oath of office and was officially signed in to begin participating in meetings moving forward.
The presented agenda recommended the Board approve the meeting minutes as given, and no amendments were made. The treasurer’s minutes for last month were also approved.
With no public participation, the Board moved on to hear the Treasurer’s Financial Report and Recommendations. Peters introduced the list of donations to be received, which consisted of $285 to the Boy’s Basketball fund and $760 to Stryker FFA.
She also recommended that the Board approve:
-Participation in the OHI Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program.
-An agreement with Julien & Grube (an accounting and audit service) to provide Medicaid AUP services for the fiscal years of 2026 and 2027.
-Amended Certificate of Estimated Resources and Amendment to the Appropriations (adjustments for title grants).
-“Then & Now” certificate to Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP for legal services involving their current building project.
Elementary Principal Beth Morr reported a busy list of upcoming events to the Superintendent. The rest of April and the beginning of May are shaping up to be packed months for Stryker Schools as the end of the year approaches.
A full list of events is available at the school’s main office, but highlights include: Kindergarten Screening (April 24th and 25th), Kindergarten Conferences (April 28th), Kindergarten Signing Night (May 13th), PreK Graduation (May 19th), Elementary Awards (May 20th), and Student’s Last Day (May 21st).
The high school principal’s report was presented similarly – it’s a very busy time for students, parents, and staff.
Reminders to parents included the FFA State Convention (May 1st and May 2nd), Prom (May 3rd), Senior Walk through and Graduation Practice (May 16th), and Graduation (2:00 p.m., on May 18th). Johnson adds there are 21 students on track to graduate for the year of 2025.
Superintendent Johnson announced the Quarterly Seniors of the Month: Frances Musser for April and Daniel Donovan for May. He also wished good luck to the spring sports programs as they begin their tournament seasons.
Johnson then moved on to present a list of staff, and recommended the Board approve the following employment contrasts and adjustments for all classified personnel.
This included the resignation of the following staff members; Beth Morr, Barb Yoder, and Bailey Short. President Froelich thanked Morr, stating, “She will be missed. Thank you for all your years of service down there.”
The final recommendations were for the Board to approve three items. First, to approve the current class of 2025 for graduation on May 18th, 2025, contingent on all students meeting the current and modified state and local requirements.
Next, to approve the revised NEOLA updated policies and related administrative guidelines, including the Special Education Policy Resolution.
Lastly, a recommendation to approve a student extended/overnight trip for the FFA State Convention in Columbus, Ohio. All recommendations passed without contest.
Superintendent Johnson closed the meeting by giving a brief report on the progress of the AG/Tech Addition and Courtyard Infill.
He disclosed that the building is getting closer to occupancy, as the final touches on the HVAC systems are being installed, as well as lab recruitment being moved into the building.
The meeting was called into an executive session to consider the employment of a new official, which ended the public meeting at 5:51 p.m.
The next regular meeting for the Stryker School Board will be held May 19, 2025, at 4:45 p.m.