PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RETIREMENT … Montpelier Grade 7-12 Principal Suann Thorp (left) greets new interim principal Steve Arnold (right) before the Montpelier Exempted Village Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, November 11. Thorp will be retiring from the district on December 31, 2025.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, November 11, highlighted by the retirement resignation of longtime Grade 7-12 principal Suann Thorp.
Following the roll call of board members, it was noted that Dunne Gambler, Nate Rose, Jennifer Schlosser, and Patti Rockey were in attendance, with Troy Roth being absent. A moment of silence was held, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thorp, who has spent the last 22 years at Montpelier, 15 of those years as Grade 7-12 principal, submitted her retirement resignation to the board effective December 31, 2025.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the board, as I enjoyed my position for the last 15 years,” commented Thorp. “I enjoyed working with this board and all of the other boards we’ve had here.
“I think we created a good foundation here at Montpelier Schools. I really hope that this continues. I will always be the number one supporter here. It’s a little bittersweet, but I know that things will carry on and you guys will do a good job leading this district.”
She has spent 32 years in education, with ten years at the Williams County Enrichment Center, followed by seven years as a junior high language arts and social studies teacher at Montpelier, before moving into administration at the school.
Following board approval to accept Thorp’s resignation, Superintendent Travis Lichty recommended Steve Arnold as Grade 7-12 Principal commencing January 1, 2026, and ending June 26, 2026.
Arnold, who is a former superintendent at Central Local Schools (Fairview), was then approved by the board for the principal position. He was also approved for six transitional days at the per diem rate in December.
Treasurer Eric Smeltzer updated board members regarding the income tax collections for the third quarter of 2025.
He reported that the district received $387,383.44 in income tax collections at the end of October, which was an increase from third-quarter collections from 2024 totaling $378,454.38.
“So far for two quarters of Fiscal Year 2026 (July & October Settlements) we have received $7,544,23 more than the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2025, which is a one percent increase,” said Smeltzer. “Hopefully, we will continue to see these collections on the rise.”
Regarding the district’s general fund revenue through October, it has seen an increase of nine percent to $462,945.75. General property tax revenues increased by 28 percent ($229,120.18), state funding increased by seven percent ($191,977.99), and state share of local property taxes increased by 32 percent ($43.659.86).
Smeltzer also noted that through October, general fund expenditures have seen an increase of three percent ($167,318.11).
“So far through four months of Fiscal Year 2026, we have had a revenue over expenditure amount of $499,037.42,” said Smeltzer. “This is the highest through October of a fiscal year we have been in the last seven years.”
Lichty presented the elementary principal’s report. He reported that Grandparents Day for grades 3-6 was held on Thursday, November 13, along with the fifth-grade musical.
The book fair will take place on November 17, with proceeds going towards purchasing new books for the media center and school.
In her high school report, Principal Thorp noted that the recent parent-teacher conferences were held despite a small turnout of parents.
She added that the winter sports season is set to begin and also mentioned the Veterans Day Program was a huge success.
In his superintendent’s report, Lichty told board members that staff members have already completed three rounds of Phishing email training.
Last month, Montpelier High School was the winner of the WTOL-TV Mascot Challenge contest. Lichty added that details involving a school-wide celebration at the boys’ basketball season home opener against Ottawa Hills on Wednesday, November 26, are being finalized with the Toledo TV station.
In personnel action, the board approved Austin Nickells, Jason Randall, and Steven Shook as volunteer wrestling coaches for the 2025-26 school year.
Donations were also approved from the Montpelier Athletic Boosters to the wrestling ($380) and track ($3,127) programs; Montpelier Rotary Club donated to the Athletic Hall of Fame ($1,000) and the 1,000-point board ($1,960); Jason Saneholtz Family Golf Outing gave donations to boys golf ($2,967.50), girls golf ($2,967.50), and the Jason Saneholtz Scholarship ($1,500).
The Montpelier Area Foundation donated to the Bob E. Rose Athletic Department Fund ($585.13). Miscellaneous donations to the National Honor Society Santa Shop ($100); Montpelier Civic League donated to the Archery Club ($1,125.74), Track ($1,279.25), Junior High Student Council ($500), and National Honor Society ($500); Montpelier Area Chamber of Commerce donated to the high school band for the Halloween performance ($100).
The meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.