The Wauseon Schools Board of Education took a step forward in their intentions to build a new administrative office building and discontinue their current lease on Fulton Street during their March 13th meeting.
The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Superintendent and Treasurer to take all necessary steps to solicit proposals from professional design firms for the Project. Superintendent Larry Brown said this allows for the district to actively search for and advertise the need for a project architect. He also said the board is interested in design proposals and a list of services in lieu of cash bids.
Regarding personnel, the board offered a contract to Brenda Wagner as the Wauseon High School Business Teacher. She comes from Fairview High School in the Central Local School District and will be bringing her coaching experience, College Credit Plus certification, and implementation of a new 21st Century Skills course for WHS students. The board previously accepted Brad Myers’ retirement from the position at the close of the school year.
The board also accepted the resignations of WHS attendance secretary Rebecca Wagner and bus driver Sherry Holeton for the purposes of retirement. Also approved was Justin Freestone as a Student Pool Worker.
“Then and now” certificates were approved to pay to the order of Rupp/Rosebrock, Inc. in the amount of $14,022 for work on the track and soccer field press box and $8,365 for work on making bleachers compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.
Also approved were modifications and supplemental modifications to the FY17 Permanent Appropriations and FY17 Certificate of Resources.
Principal Blake Young reported that the primary school had 113 appointments for upcoming kindergarten registration and over 200 family members participated in the Family Fit Night.
He also told the board that the primary school will be participating in ALICE Training as master barricaders, instead of the countering approach. Music informances for the first grade will be held March 20-24 and April 3-7 for kindergarten, and second graders are teaching first graders and kindergartners skills like tying shoes and math flash cards in the “Basket Buddies” program.
Elementary Principal Theresa Vietmeier reported that the school hosted a presentation titled AIR: The Invisible Wonder. The presenter discussed the three states of matter, and used interactive experiments and demonstrations to explain the scientific concepts of air. He made a hoverboard, shot smoke rings from an air cannon, and explained the concept of a vortex in kid-friendly terms, she said.
She also told the board that fifth graders recently learned the basic components of each band instrument and decided whether or not to join the activity after a presentation from middle and high school band members, and fourth graders recently performed their musical, Orffing Around the Musical Zoo.
The United Way Grant after school program has also been successful, Vietmeier said. Topics have included creating story cubes, an area and perimeter art project, a measuring scavenger hunt, and slime making.
Principal Joe Friess reported that the middle school MathCounts team, coached by Lynelle Nofziger and Tracy Beck., recently won the local competition and competed at the state competition in Columbus. He also told the board that state testing starts March 28th.
Wauseon High School Principal Keith Leatherman shared that Conner Hicks was awarded best in Photography and Taylor Molina received Honorable Mention for her painting at the Black Swamp Arts Council High School Invitational Art show.
He also reported that the Wauseon Symphonic Band qualified for the State Concert Band Contest for the first time since 2012, while the Wauseon Acapella Choir received straight 1’s in Class A at competition and will also perform at state.
Course additions for the 2017-18 school year include Robotics, College Credit Plus American Government and two sections of Composition, as well as Skills for the 21st Century. The spring musical will be held March 31-April 2, and parent teacher conferences will be held April 3rd and 6th.
The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 23rd at 12:00 pm in the board office.
Cory Johnson may be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com