(PHOTO BY LEIGHA SINGER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
INSTRUCTIONAL BOOK … Mr. David Schultz, and Mrs. Beth Mohr pose with a copy of the book ‘The Classroom Behavior Manual’ written by Scott Urban. The book was given to each teacher as a guide for instruction. Scott and his team will be frequenting the halls of Stryker School, offering assistance in implementing the programs taught in the manual.
By: Leigha Singer
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Stryker Local Schools Board of Education held their monthly meeting on Monday, August 19th, 2024 at 4:00 pm in the community room.
Present for the meeting were: Dean of Students Beth Morr, Principal Dave Schultz, Treasurer Jill Peters, Superintendent Nate Johnson, and board members Sharon VonSeggern, Brent Froelich, Jason Leupp, Dan Hughes and Emily Clemens. Stryker School’s Athletic Director Kent Holsopple was also present.
The meeting began with a role call, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then approved their meeting agenda for their August 19th, 2024 meeting.
First on the agenda were public comments. Present at the meeting was community member and parent Brittany Appel. The board had her present her comments first.
Mrs. Appel stated that she had an idea for the students for fundraisers. She suggested selling T-shirts with the school’s therapy dog, Jett, printed on the shirt. She suggested using a fairly new company located in Bryan called Perfect Imperfections.
She informed the panel that for this fundraiser, the company could print a silhouette or a photograph of Jett onto the shirt. Half the price charged would cover the company’s fee, and the other half would go to the school to benefit Jett’s needs such as veterinary bills and food.
Mrs. Appel also stated that the students can wear these shirts for spirit weeks throughout the year, and that both students and parents could wear the shirts to games if Stryker colors and logos were also incorporated.
She wanted to know if the board would be interested in pursuing this, and if so, she’d get some pricing information made available to them.
The panel agreed to look into this; board member Dan Hughes stated that he’d seen success in past endeavors that were very similar. The panel confirmed the name of the business owner Mrs. Appel wanted to use and thanked her for her time.
At this time the board asked if there were any more comments, and since there were none, it was announced that they move on to the Treasurer/CFO’s Financial Report and recommendations.
Treasurer Jill Peters stated that the board could read through the Financial Report for July 2024 as follows: There was a General fund cash balance of $8,306,854.02 and a total revenue of $691,444.56, Income tax of $358,650.01, unrestricted grants in aid of $254,633.70, restricted grants in aid of $33,326.66, all other operating revenue of $44,834.19, with total expenses of $723,207.07, personnel services of $257,498.90, retirement/insurances $148,360.21, purchased services of $253,294.51, supplies of $19,845.05, capital outlay of $26,000.00 and all other objects of $18,208.40.
Mrs. Peters then stated that the board accepted the following donations from Boynton Farm in the amount of $500 and Joan Batterson in the amount of $250 to the Stryker FFA in memory of Steve Batterson.
Then she recommended the board approve the Student Activity and Athletic Purpose & Budgets statements, as presented, as well as the Permanent Appropriations for Fiscal Year 25.
Mrs. Peters presented sheets that she has all Student Activity Advisors fill out to set their budgets for the year to tell how much revenue they anticipate coming in as well as how much they’ll spend, and that is what she calculates their budget.
Mrs. Peters recommended the board approve these recommendations and reminded the panel that they already approved this temporarily in June, and that one only gets them started.
The permanent Appropriations are the ones set in stone for this school year. Mrs. Peters then stated that if there were any major changes throughout the year, she’d bring an amendment to send to the county auditor. A motion was made by Dan Hughes to accept and seconded by Emily Clemens.
At this time the panel moved their discussion to the next topic, which was the Elementary Principal’s Report to the superintendent.
Dean of Student Mrs. Beth Morr stated the following: the school’s open house on August 13 was attended well and it seemed like almost everyone who would attend school for the 2024-2025 school year coming to the event.
Mrs. Morr felt that they had a great start for the year for both staff and students, and that new bussing situation was ok, but a gate may be needed.
Mrs. Morr stated that the Otis Spunkmeyer fundraiser was set to begin on August 20th and would be due on September 4th. August 23rd was being added to the calendar as a no students/ teacher in-service day.
A highlight of Morr’s report was that Scott Urban and his team will be coming to the school. Urban is the author of the classroom manual given to each staff member last year.
The manual outlines how to build relationships with students, as well as how to build positive behaviors in the classroom.
His team will come in on certain days and set up family nights. Morr stated that she’s heard great reviews from the NwOESC and surrounding schools who’ve had him host.
She also stated that the team will come in and review the students during class time and consult with the teachers about their review for behaviors, etc.
Morr stated that they’re excited for this and moved on to say that picture day is set for Thursday, September 12th.
Mr. Dave Schultz then presented the High School Principal’s Report to superintendent as follows: During 1st and 2nd period of school on Thursday, August 29th, there will be an annual meeting for seniors and sophomores with Josten’s.
He reminded everyone that there will be no school Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day and Monday, September 9th for Fair Day. Thursday, September 12th is also the high school’s picture day, and September 18th marks the 1st 9 weeks mid-terms.
At this time, Mr. Schultz wished good luck to all of the athletes in Fall sports, and stated the upcoming dates for games/meets: Volleyball opened August 17 @ Liberty Center, cross country opens August 20th @ Hilltop, and football opens with North Adams on Friday, August 30th at home.
Mr. Nate Johnson then presented the Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations. The first recommendation was that the board approve the Supplemental Contracts/Volunteers for the 2024-2025 school year, contingent upon viable season starts and school related openings/closings, and participation levels, as presented:
Jr. High Baseball coach Zach Juillard, Jr. High Track Coach Amanda Juillard, Jr. High Cross Country Coach Kelsie Frey, Asst. Jr. High Track Coach Braden Bumb, Mentor (as needed) Ally Meade & Board Supplemental-Event Coordinator Melissa Andres.
The second recommendation was to accept the retirement resignation of Kaye Wonders, transportation driver, at the end of the 2024-2025 year.
Johnson took the time to thank Mrs. Wonders for her years of service and dedication. The third items recommendation for the board to approve was for the following classified/certified substitutes in personnel, custodial, food service, maintenance and transportation subs and volunteers, contingent upon required BCI/FBI background check and all required documents: JoAnne Bell, Kamie Beck, Olivia Breinninger, Brenda DeGroff & Mandy Oberlin.
The motion to accept was made by Emily Clemens and seconded by Jason Leupp. Johnson also stated a recommendation that the board approve the Transportation Agreement with North Central Schools for Four County and IEC Transportation services, and to update the 2024-2025 school calendar to reflect the addition of Teacher PD days.
He also stated that the board approve the 2024-2025 Wood County JDC and JRC Agreement, as presented. The motion was made by Sharon VonSeggern, and seconded by Dan Hughes.
The next agenda was the Superintendent’s Informational and Discussion Items. These items were as follows: The next regular BOE meeting will be held at 4:00 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024.
The Ag. Tech building and Infill project is coming along nicely, with the Ag. Tech building being at full height being on the north wall, rough end electrical is complete & they’re ready for south wall.
The Infill project has completed their structure support and are working on the elevator pit & have installed the roof drains.
Finally, Johnson concluded with a reminder to the public that the school’s food service program is instructed to and does follow district’s policies for food services & standards, and the board discussed that the next meeting’s time is changing from 5:30 pm to 4 pm to better accommodate the schedules of certain board members needing to attend games in the evenings.
The next Stryker Local Schools Board Meeting will be held at 4:00 pm on Monday, September 16, 2024.
