BOARD MEETING … Stryker school board members from left, Sharon vonSeggern, Chase Stuckey, and Brent Froelich review the board agenda at Monday’s meeting.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
After serving as treasurer and chief financial officer for the Stryker Local School District for the past twenty years, Jill Peters has announced that she is resigning from her position at Monday’s board of education meeting.
In attendance were board members, Sharon vonSeggern, Chase Stuckey, Brent Froelich, Dan Hughes, and Emily Clemens, along with Superintendent Nate Johnson, Treasurer/CFO Peters, High School Principal Jamie Grime, and Elementary Principal Kallie Gensler.
Peters had issued a written statement to the school board and media members saying that she’s giving the district a 60-day notice before officially stepping down on October 17.
“The decision to resign my position as Treasurer/CFO of Stryker Local Schools, effective October 17, 2025, originated with me and was made for personal and professional reasons.
“I have always taken great pride in the work that I have done, how I conducted myself in the position, and the value I brought to the school. Until October 17, my responsibilities as Treasurer of Stryker Schools will continue to be done at the same professional level as they have been for the past 20 years.
“I will be accepting a job offer elsewhere and look forward to a new and better environment. I will not expound by answering any questions and have no further comment.”
Johnson then commented following the 60-day notice announced by Peters. “She’s been a valuable asset from a financial standpoint of the district, and she will be missed,” said Johnson. “I was a bit surprised about her decision to step down.”
The next step for the board is they must follow a process that the district has already established in finding a new school treasurer.
“It’s up to the board whatever they’ll do, an individual search or go through the ESC or NWOCA,” said Johnson.
The board accepted donations from Truland Equipment, LLC ($100) and Stryker American Legion ($100) to the Stryker FFA and from Stryker Athletic Boosters ($1,090) to the Stryker Volleyball fund.
Approval was given for the treasurer to transfer $30,000 from the general fund to the athletic fund and $50,000 to the cafeteria fund.
The board approved permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2026. Peters had already completed temporary appropriations in June.
“Now if we need to change any of the budgets, I will be bringing it to you and sending it on to the county auditor,” she said.
In personnel action, Polly Krause was approved as a teacher (one-year limited contract) with 20 extended days, and Albert Babcock was approved as a transportation driver (one-year classified contract).
Resignations were accepted from Evan Lummer (teacher) and Blake Burkholder (archery assistant) for the 2025-26 school year.
Elementary principal Kallie Gensler reported the school year got off to a great start with students and staff; the open house was well attended, and behavior leadership has started off great as well.
She told board members there will be no school on September 1 (Labor Day) and September 8 (Fair Day), with picture day scheduled for September 11.
New high school principal Jamie Grime thanked the school board for giving him the opportunity to serve in the district.
“It’s been a refreshing change for me,” admitted Grime. “I will admit that the very first day of school, I stood out here at 8:25 a.m., and by 8:30 a.m. I looked around, and the kids were all in their classes. It was like a ghost town out here.”
With the new statewide ban on cell phones already in place, Grime said the teachers had wanted to take a hard stance on it, and he’s been very supportive of their position.
“I can’t believe these kids are taking to it,” said Grime regarding the cell phone ban. “The first three days now, nobody hasn’t been sent down to the office for cell phones, or nobody had them out.
“You walk by the cafeteria, the kids are talking, having conversations, doing what they’re supposed to do. What a great group of kids to be around.”
Johnson gave an update on the Ag Tech addition and Courtyard Infill, saying it’s in the punch phase of the project. He added that it will take a month to complete it.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m.