ALICE ALLEN Outgoing board member Alice Allen was thanked for her years of service on the board of education and received a token of appreciation on behalf of the board from Superintendent Armstrong
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
The Wauseon Board of Education met for its regular meeting on December 11 with board members Alice Allen, Curt Crew, Larry Zimmerman Jr., and Larry Fruth present while Amy Fisher was absent. Superintendent Troy Armstrong and Treasurer/CFO John Kahmann also took their places at the meeting table.
Following the call to order, roll call, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Superintendent Armstrong took a moment to point out that the district received a donation of Child ID Kits for all second graders from the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
Armstrong then took the opportunity to recognize district transportation staff members Michelle Borer, Jill Shehorn, Stacie Duncan, Caleb Short, Ann Pfund, Sharon Smith, Lucas Schang, and Bev Tanner who decked out one of the school buses with Christmas Lights and participated in both the Wauseon and Archbold Christmas parades.
Armstrong noted that the festively decorated bus generated much media attention, and it was a great way to represent the district. Certificates were then handed out to all staff who took part in the fun.
Offering a special note of thanks, Armstrong shared that the December meeting would be the last for board members Alice Allen and Larry Fruth whose terms expire at the end of 2023.
Addressing Mrs. Allen, Armstrong shared, “When we needed someone to step up to the plate and fill a spot, overwhelmingly the board thought of you.”
“We gave you a call and you said yes. So, we really appreciate the two years you put into this school district and the many years prior.
“Now, Mr. Fruth, I promised no pomp and circumstance but a gift from the board for you. Also, the board felt it important to reserve your seats at the football stadium,” Armstrong continued as those in attendance laughed and nodded in agreement.
Mr. Fruth has 64 total years of service in public education. Both outgoing members received certificates and Chamber Bucks from the board as a token of the district’s appreciation.
Mr. Eric Sauber, Operations Supervisor, then took a few minutes to present to the Board a brief overview of the department he oversees.
The Operations Department is responsible for all custodial, maintenance, building automation, groundskeeping, and athletic field management for the entire school district.
Following Mr. Sauber’s presentation, the board approved minutes from the November meeting.
Treasurer/CFO John Kahmann presented his report to the board which included several items for approval including bills and financial reports, FY24 appropriations, and a then-and-now certificate for payment of fall fertilization expenses.
The report also noted donations received by the district including canned food items and 218 pounds to the school’s food pantry, 6 new winter coats, and cash donations totaling $2,666.
Kahmann also requested that the Athletic Department’s petty cash checkbook fund be increased temporarily from $4000 to $12,000 to allow for payment of officials and other expenses associated with upcoming large-scale athletic events slated for December and January.
Approval was also requested to open an investment account with UBS Group AG and enter into a depository agreement with F&M Bank. The board approved the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Superintendent Armstrong began his report by noting that he signed all board members up to attend a “Board Member Basics” seminar that will be held on February 7.
He also asked for a motion to approve the following personnel items:
-Rachel Wixey and Associates Substitute List as presented.
-Resignation of McKayla Ayers as a WPS Teacher Aide.
-Resignation of Zephaniah Siefker as a WHS 8-Hour Custodian.
-One-year limited classified contract to Kelly Wasnich as WPS Teacher -One-year limited outside supplemental contracts to Tracy Behrman and Amy Bostwick.
-Increase of 2% to the Rachel Wixey and Associates classified hourly substitute rate.
-Parental leave for Shaina Schroeder.
-Tara Tedrow as an Athletic Department Worker
-Approval of Julian Delgado and Frank Rocha as volunteers.
Armstrong provided the board with details of the draft 2024-2025 school calendar and noted that it reflects a later startup date as discussed at the November meeting.
It was requested that incoming board member Jeffrey Feasby be appointed as the district’s representative to the Four County Career Center Board of Education for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2024.
Also, as a part of the Superintendent’s Report, an early completion request on behalf of a student was addressed as was an overnight trip for the high school speech teams to travel to Wooster High School for the OSDA Tournament. Mr. Armstrong’s report was approved as presented.
The WEVS Board of Education’s Organizational Meeting will be held on Monday, January 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Office.
