BEST BUDDIES … Students with the Wauseon High School Chapter of Best Buddies discuss their chapter and a recent leadership conference that was attended.
PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FUTURE … Wauseon High School Principal Keith Leatherman speaks to Board of Education members about the “Future of Fulton County.”
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon Board of Education met for its regular session on Friday, September 12th, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Wauseon High School. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the minutes from the August work sessions and regular meeting.
The first order of business was a presentation highlighting the Best Buddies Leadership Conference. Students and staff shared that the Best Buddies program has grown steadily since its soft launch in March of 2024, with 14 student pairs participating last school year and more than 50 students signing up for the chapter overall.
Officers spoke about the benefits of building friendships between students with and without disabilities, participating in talent shows, and attending the international leadership conference over the summer, which they described as the “Super Bowl of friendship and inclusion.”
A second presentation was given by Wauseon High School Principal Keith Leatherman on the “Future of Fulton County” workforce development initiative.
The program, developed in collaboration with multiple school districts and Ohio Means Jobs, aims to prepare students for local careers by connecting them with pre-apprenticeship and job-shadowing opportunities.
Students from five of the seven county districts meet monthly at the Ohio Means Jobs facility, where they receive soft-skills training, tour local businesses, and complete career assessments.
Beginning in March, students will be placed with businesses that match their career interests for hands-on experiences designed to help them transition into the workforce.
Leatherman emphasized that the program is not intended to replace Four County Career Center opportunities but rather to provide an additional pathway for students, particularly those unable to commit to Four County’s schedule due to athletics or other obligations.
Following the presentation portion of the meeting, the board agreed to retain Jeff Feasby as its representative on the Four County Career Center Board before moving on to the Treasurer’s report.
The August financial report was discussed first, with the report showing an ending cash balance of $21,117,809.28.
Revenues for the month of August in the general fund totaled $3,839,494, driven by $2.2 million in county tax receipts and $1.1 million received from the state foundation payment.
August expenditures were reported at $2,633,393, which was higher than usual due to it being a three-pay month. The board also approved the list of bills, several donations, Then & Now certificates, and amended appropriations, including updates to the classroom facilities maintenance and severance funds.
Superintendent Armstrong then presented the personnel report, which included certified and classified contracts, supplemental contracts, and volunteer coaches.
The board also approved a $5.00 parking pass fee for high school students (a continuation of what the fee was normally), renewal of the service agreement with the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center through November 30th, and early graduation requests for seniors Justin Schmunk and Savannah Yeary, both of whom will be permitted to participate in commencement exercises.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:38 p.m.