(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
PARENTAL VOICES … The board intently listens to the concerned parents of the Stryker girls’ basketball team members before considering future coaching contracts.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Monday, May 19 Stryker School Board meeting began at 4:45 p.m., with all board members in attendance; Brent Froelich, Emily Clemens, Sharon vonSeggern, Chase Stuckey, and Dan Hughes.
Only one item was changed on the evening’s agenda; Section C Item 10 was removed from the superintendent’s recommendation report and will be presented at next month’s meeting instead.
Several parents, teachers, and local community members attended the meeting to support the girls’ varsity basketball coaches. As yearly contracts were up to be renewed, many hoped to see coaches Conner Ruffer and Molly Kidston signed for another year.
Undisclosed controversial information was hinted at by Board President Froelich, and he called for necessary change. He addressed the public and admitted that the only people who reached out to him regarding this topic were the residents who had a negative issue with said coaches – not the other way around.
Froelich admitted that he had lost sleep with the topic but ultimately had to go with the information he had received prior to the meeting.
Many parents, and even Stryker teachers, informed the board that they were pleased with the work the two coaches were doing and that they had a positive impact on the young girls.
Most agreed that all school staff should always be held responsible for their actions, however, they enjoyed the coaching of Ruffer and Kidston.
Dozens of supplemental contracts were approved for coaching, advising, and mentorship positions in athletics and academic clubs. The board moved to approve all items, excluding the contracts of Ruffer and Kidston, which would be considered in a separate motion. The motion concerning the girls’ basketball coaches was passed by all members, with Froelich abstaining.
Personnel changes included approval of Kallie Gensler as the new Elementary Principal, with a five-year contract offered.
Keegan and Erica Schoen were also approved for teaching contracts in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The board also accepted the resignation of Melissa Andres, who served as the high school administrative assistant.
Treasurer Jill Peters presented the April financial report. In a positive update, she reported that the district’s five-year forecast now ends in the black. This marks the first time in several years that Stryker has seen a positive projection in the final year of its plan.
The board also accepted more than $11,000 in donations to benefit student programs:
-$4,400 from Farm Credit to support the Ag-Tech Program
-$1,933 from First Lutheran Church of Stryker to the cafeteria fund
-$4,000 anonymous donation to the Stryker Girls Basketball Team
-$5,000 anonymous donation to the Stryker Boys Basketball Team
Lunch and breakfast pricing were updated for the coming school year, with breakfast for all students changing to $2.50, lunch for K-6 to $3.00, and lunch for grades 7-12 to $4.00. Nutrition standards in line with federal and state regulations were also reaffirmed.
As the academic year closes, Superintendent Nate Johnson reported a successful senior graduation, held on May 18, with 20 students walking.
The last day for remaining students is marked for May 21, with teacher in-service days following on the 22nd and 23rd.
The next board meeting is scheduled for June 23, at 5:30 p.m. With no further public business to attend to, they called for an executive session to discuss the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee at 5:22 p.m.