Vantage board gets positive update on building project

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Vantage Board of Education learned Thursday that multitasking can work wonders at a construction site, as well as in an office.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman reported that the school construction project, which was 17 days behind schedule has made it back on schedule, thanks to more people being brought in to work on multiple tasks at the same time, rather than doing the tasks one at a time, as was the case early on.

Board members had the chance to view the progress being made during a tour of the work conducted prior to the board meeting.

Kaufman also told board members that enhancements to the project may be possible if the work remains under its budget ceiling, as it currently is. The Vantage superintendent explained that, while the Ohio School Facilities Commission only allows schools to keep a quarter of the money left over when a project is completed, an exception is made when the OSFC approves additional work on a project.

The board also approved bidding out the technology package, but decided to hold off on doing the same for the loose furnishings package, to ensure items sought are available for purchase.

Kaufman noted that a portion of the school’s current loose furnishings and other equipment not needed when the OSFC project is completed would be auctioned off to the public. A date for the auction will be announced at the November board meeting.

In personnel action, three new staff members — math instructor Jaime Kipfer and science instructors Daniel Joyce and Matt Miller — were introduced to the board.

The board also hired Brenda Wurst as a teacher’s aide and approved contracts for the following Adult Education instructors: Charles Fowler and Robin Sonstegard, Health Careers; Cynthia Krizan, ABLE instructor; Michele Prichard, substitute secretary; Patrick Jackson, computers; and Edward Klausing, Police Academy.

Sonya Yenser-Hammon’s Adult Education contract was also amended to increase her per-hour compensation from $21 to $22.

Adult Education Director Pete Prichard gave a report on the recent Ohio Green Energy Tour that took place this past weekend, for which Vantage was a regional host, while Vantage Director Bob Vennekotter reported on school enrollment and the construction project.

The board also took action related to Vantage’s Alternative Energy Academy, approving the purchase of three FACET CAI base units, with FACET power supplies and accepting a $30,000 donation from the Paulding Wind Farm II LLC to the Energy Academy.

The next Vantage Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 3, in the Cup & Saucer dining area. A tour may also be conducted prior to that meeting.