LORI CHAMBERLIN SULLIVAN … Lori Chamberlin Sullivan is presented a plaque while being inducted into the Swanton Class of 2021 Distinguished Alumni. (PHOTOS PROVIDED)
By: Jacob Kessler
The Swanton Board of Education held their meeting on Tuesday, February 15th. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
With no public present to speak, the board moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Reports of the treasurer were then heard with the minutes for the previous meeting on January 12th being presented first.
Discussion then took place regarding the financial reports, investments, received donations, appropriation modifications and estimated resource changes.
The Treasurer’s report was then approved by the board before moving on to discuss the Swanton Public Library FY22 Appropriation Resolution.
The Resolution was in regard to the approval of financial appropriations for the Swanton Library. The list of appropriations given were approved by the board.
Following after, Treasurer Joyce Kinsman presented an updated five-year forecast for the district.
The overall message was good with it being stressed that the school will experience positive cash flow if the upcoming levy is passed. If the levy does not pass, the district will begin to experience negative cash flow with numbers approaching -$606,987 in year 2024.
Upcoming grants were also discussed as well as the restrictions being placed on spending provided by state funding.
Board members then heard a report and recommendations from the Superintendent. On Friday, February 11th, Swanton celebrated the induction of the Class of 2021’s Distinguished Alumni. The first inductee was Peter Najarian who is a 1956 graduate of SHS.
Peter graduated from UT with a degree in mechanical engineering and went on to a long career with General Motors where he served in a wide variety of executive positions including running the Toledo Powertrain Plant.
As a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Muncie, IN, Peter played a significant role in getting a new four lane highway built to connect to I-69. His work on the this project led to the stretch of highway being known as Pete’s Pike.
The second inductee was Lori Chamberlin Sullivan who is a 1987 graduate of SHS. Lori earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Detroit.
Lori began her career by working for General Motors where she worked in the areas of design exploration, design direction and brand character for future products.
Lori served as the brand manager for the Saturn brand for brand positioning and target market analysis.
Under her marketing leadership Saturn enjoyed steady brand growth. In 2009 Lori started her own consultant business and worked for Coke, Hallmark, Visa, Chase and Kellogg.
Other recommendations made were for personnel, the 2022-2023 membership with OSHAA, an NWOESC service agreement and a OSC bus bid program.
Previously in November of 2021 the district was looking to get a new van which did not take place due to shortages. The district was just notified within the last two weeks that they will be receiving $135,000 from the state to purchase three new school buses.
A search will be taking place to find the busses for purchase. Building reports were then heard from members of staff before the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com
PETER NAJARIAN … Peter Najarian is presented a plaque while being inducted into the Swanton Class of 2021 Distinguished Alumni.