Vantage happy with open house turnout

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education heard an update on the Manufacturers Open House held at the school on Thursday, as well as a report on the ongoing renovation/construction project during its meeting Thursday evening.

First off, though, Health Technology instructor Shirley Jarvis, who is retiring after 29 years of service at Vantage, told the board how grateful she was for the opportunity to work at Vantage and for the chance to interact with some great co-worker. Jarvis noted that, while the new building improvements are important, it is Vantage’s employees that make an even greater difference in the lives of students.

“It’s not a building that changes lives,” Jarvis told the board, “it’s the people.”

The board also hired Leigh Carey to replace Jarvis later in the meeting.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman updated the board on the renovation/construction project, noting that, while not everything has gone smoothly, the project is moving forward, with site work ahead of schedule.

Vantage Director Bob Vennekotter talked about the Manufacturing Open House held most of the day on Thursday. Vennekotter noted that 93 people toured the new manufacturing technology facilities. According to Vantage officials, company representatives came from as far away as Toledo to view the newly constructed areas. Vennekotter said one company rep said he wanted to feature Vantage’s precision machining area in a company publication.

Vantage students who conducted the tours also got favorable comments from company representatives, with several companies noting that they were interested in hiring students from the school when they graduate.

Kaufman noted that, due to the expense of moving the modular units purchased as temporary classrooms while construction was underway, bidders for the units would also have to provide transportation. She added that, if there are no valid offers for the units by this coming Thursday, the school would likely demolish them, since that was cheaper than moving them off-site.

Under personnel, the Vantage board issued supplemental contracts to Marcia Osenga, Kari Casto and Jerry Robinson as LPDC Committee members, and to Amy Grothouse, Theresa Mengerink, Beth Evans and Susan Farr as resident educators for new teachers.

The board also voted to increase the number of working days for Vantage’s special education coordinators from 183 to 188 days, after Kaufman said the shorter period was not enough to get all needed work completed.

The board also accepted the resignation of Alex Rompilla as Alternative Energy lead instructor so that he could take the position of Trade & Industry coordinator, effective retroactively to April 18. Karen McGilton was also employed as Connect Ohio instructor.

In other action, the board:

• Reinstated national travel for staff, per a recommendation by Kaufman, and also reinstated the $40 per day meal reimbursement for overnight travel only.
• Approved Vantage’s equipment request for items funded by the Rothaker-Lampe Fund administered by The Van Wert County Foundation.
• Heard a first reading of policy changes recommended by NEOLA.
• Approved a three-year contract with Julian & Grube to compile Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting for the school.
• Approved Vantage’s student handbook for the coming year. Kaufman noted a few changes in the handbook, including the addition of “look-alike” tobacco products to the school ban on tobacco products and limiting student passes to 10 in a grading period.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 7, in the community room.