School Board meets

By Cindy Wood/Van Wert Independent

The well field at the new elementary school project is near completion with the district continuing to move toward a dry-in date of Dec. 21. Van Wert City Schools Supt. Ken Amstutz reported to the school board Wednesday evening that the project is still on schedule and on budget.

There were two project change orders approved by the board, the first being a credit for $365 when a gas line was hit by the contractor.

The second change order, in the amount of $15,102.50, stemmed from a drainage issue, Amstutz said. “The original drainage plan was to not move those sewage lines, but once we got into it, it would not drain enough so therefore we needed to bring everything lower to make the project right,” Amstutz said. “The new entrance that was developed would not drain properly without moving the sewage lines to a lower depth and readjusting that.”

Amstutz also asked the board to approve a resolution to oppose House Bill 136, sponsored by State Representative Matt Huffman, which seeks to open up and expand the voucher program. Treasurer Mike Ruen voiced his extreme dissatisfaction in the bill and said it was an unfair bill at best. “School districts are required to fund the local portion of it. The state is giving about $5,700 and the local amount provided would be maybe $2,500. The state, in essence, is only giving the district maybe $3,500 and would then turn around and give away the entire $5,700 to the private school with the voucher,” Ruen said, adding “I really scratch my head at that because they’re essentially taking more money away than they ever gave us to begin with. It’s extremely, unbelievably unfair.”

Amstutz elaborated that in his opinion, if passed, the bill could drain the district’s resources, and further stated the bill could totally destroy public education. “Clearly, I am opposed to it as should anybody in public education,” Amstutz said. The board later adopted and passed the resolution to oppose the bill.

Also in his report, Amstutz said roofing will soon begin on the new elementary school project, and one of the gymnasium walls is now complete. The completion date for the new elementary school is projected to be July 21, 2012, and that is currently on schedule, Amstutz said, adding the projected date for completion of the Jefferson project is Christmas break of 2012.

The tennis courts are progressing as well, and asphalt was put down last week. Net standards and fence posts are in place in one of the courts, and drainage around the courts has been completed. The project had an estimated completion date of the end of this month, but final work, such as sealing and painting of lines, may have to be done next spring, Amstutz said.

The first soccer game was held at the athletic complex on Monday night, and the boys will try out the new field, inside the track, tonight.

During the Vantage board report, board member Ken Mengerink reported that construction at Vantage is back on schedule again, and also informed the board of some upcoming arbitration hearings in late October or November.

Under new business, the board accepted the resignation of Devin Webster, Van Wert Middle School wrestling coach, and approved Austin McIntosh as the new coach. The board also approved supplemental contracts for building and district leadership teams for Jenny Ainsworth, Ken Amstutz, Jen Arend, Lori Bittner, Bill Clifton, Chris Covey, Shawn Deitemeyer, Brett Dorsten, Ashley Driggs, Darla Dunlap, Kevin Gehres, Doug Grooms, Kathy Mansfield, Marie Markward, Beth Runnion, Bob Spath, Tiffany Werts, Cayla Wise, Bill Wisher and Charlie Witten.

Also, Michelle Hoffman, Marty Hohman, Amy Honigford, Betty Holliday, Diane Hood, Nate Hoverman, Sandy Mishey, July Mosier, Deb Nedderman, Jessica Small, Kim Werling, Mark Bagley, Zane McElroy, Bonnie Thatcher, Linda Thomas and Melissa Utrup.

Also, Sandy Adams, Connie Ainsworth, Katie Bowersock, Tom Brown, Dave Froelich, Chuck Rollins and Jen Trittschuh.

In new business, the board approved Joshua Carpenter, Christine Krugh and Deb Yackee to the certified sub list and added Kent Prichard to the classified sub list. The next scheduled meeting will be held Nov. 16.