(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
NEW MAN ON CAMPUS … New Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor Jeremiah Floyd attended Wednesday’s meeting of the Swanton Local School District Board of Education to see them approve his hiring.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
A researcher and public speaker with a doctorate in curriculum and instruction and the owner of a successful local roofing business are set to be recognized as distinguished alumni according to Swanton Local School District Superintendent Chris Lake.
Lake made the comments during Wednesday’s meeting of the school board.
Dr. Rebecca Nelson graduated from Swanton High School in 1994 and presented her dissertation at the American Educational Research Association.
Lake pointed out her curriculum design, research publication, and leadership in study abroad programs in the Czech Republic and Italy among her accomplishments.
Gene Wilson completed an apprenticeship with the Northwest Ohio Carpenters Apprenticeship Program before founding GA Wilson Builders, eventually renamed RoofOhio.
In addition to being recognized as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Wilson is involved with charitable organizations including Purple Heart Homes and Habitat for Humanity.
Nelson and Wilson will be inducted into the Swanton High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, January 24.
BOARD PRAISE FOR BAND
Before the end of the meeting, Board Member Ben Remer shared praise for the school’s band program through his experience of how it impacted his son.
“For my son – who they told us would never walk, talk, smile, eat, or breathe on his own – to see him up there tooting his saxophone was pretty cool,” Remer said. “The time they put into getting him to do that was – I’m sure they had to be very patient.”
PERSONNEL CHANGES
The board approved several personnel changes recommended by Lake, including the retirement of middle school physical education teacher Todd Omey effective June 30 and the hiring of Lisa Ludlow as replacement for resigning high school principal secretary Pam Raab.
New Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor Jeremiah Floyd was present for his approval.
Resignations were also approved for Jared Walker, Abby Harris, and Madalynn Peluso, the head coach, JV coach, and assistant coach for girls basketball, respectively.
Other changes included the resignation of NWOESC substitute teacher Cynthia Champer, the approval of NWOESC substitute teachers Denise Decker, Angela Ferrell, Shalyn Findling, Connie Jacoby, Hayden Shultz, and Ethan Siebenaler, as well as wrestling volunteer Nate Reiner and football volunteer Ben Mooney.
OTHER BUSINESS
The board approved a measure agreeing to follow new special education policies and procedures included in Senate Bill 29, with Lake stating that it was “really all stuff that we do already anyway.”
Lake reported the prime rate dropped, which reduced the interest rate for the baseball/softball complex loan from over 5% to 4.875%. He said once the loan came through, a request for bids would be issued soon after.
Treasurer Sheila Horseman reported the school’s financials were holding steady, with property tax revenues expected to come in at the end of the month.
Board members were recognized for their participation on the board as part of school board recognition month.
The board accepted donations of $5,000 from North Star BlueScope Steel for the baseball spring break trip, $1,200 from McNeil Chevrolet for Swanton 7, $817.04 from Kroger Rewards, $20 from James Bates for football, $366.39 from Kroger Rewards for prom, $250 from the Swanton Parents Club for Nutcracker tickets for the elementary school, and $400 from Posh’d Apparel for Swanton 7.
The board approved the district’s annual membership in the Ohio School Boards Association at a cost of $6,254, along with the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund Consultant Service at a cost of $250.
The board approved the 100 students of the graduating class of 2025, pending completion of all graduation requirements.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Local School District Board of Education is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12 at 108 N. Main Street.