VWCS OKs school calendar, buys new bus

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Board of Education members approved a bid package for asbestos abatement work as part of the Jefferson Elementary School renovation project, adopted the 2012-2013 school calendar and also authorized the purchase of a new school bus during its March meeting held Wednesday in the First Federal Lecture Hall.

The board also approved the district calendar for the 2012-2013 school year that includes a start date of September 10 — a week after the end of the Van Wert County Fair — and an end date of June 7. The later start date in part reflects a later completion date for the grades 1-5 elementary school building now under construction. The completion date is now August 14 for the project, and the school start date would allow three weeks to move in to the new building, said Superintendent Ken Amstutz.

“We’ve committed to that, the contractors have committed to that,” the superintendent said, noting that the project is a little behind schedule, and blamed that on bad weather last fall. “Things are running slightly behind, and we are now playing catch-up.”

Board members will get a chance to walk through the building at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 29.

Jefferson bids were opened last Tuesday and were, for the most part, under budget, Amstutz noted. Some alternatives will likely be added to the project, and the superintendent said a special board meeting would likely be needed in early April to approve the bids.

The board also approved the purchase of a new 84-passenger transit-style school bus at a cost of $84,954.

During his report to the board, Amstutz updated board members on the New Tech, noting that 10 teachers, including VWHS Principal Bill Clifton, job-shadowed instructors at Adams Central High School in Monroe, Ind.

“They are very, very excited and very much on board with what we are doing,” the superintendent said, adding that the New Tech program has “invigorated” the high school teaching staff and Clifton. “We are right on track with where we are going.”

Amstutz also noted that, of the five New Tech grants awarded, only two schools, Van Wert and Cleveland Heights, are moving forward this year with a program. The superintendent said he thought what has hampered the other schools is lack of support from top administrators. Because of that, Amstutz said he would seek additional funding from the state for the local program.

Also Wednesday, board members heard a presentation from Dianna Hicks, a fourth-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School, about an Ellis Island program she conducted this school year. The program, similar to one done previously for sixth-graders, allowed students to see what it was like for immigrants seeking to come to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of Julie Mulvey, preschool paraprofessional, effective March 23, after 10 years in the school district.
• Approved the Satellite Program Standards and Maintenance Agreement between Van Wert City Schools and Vantage Career Center and an agreement for services with the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center.
• Accepted the following donations: $125 each from Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, Van Wert Service Club, Tim Stoller, Edd Buhl and The Van Wert County Foundation for the Van Wert City Endowment Fund for Educators; $1,020 for the John F. Maney Memorial Business Scholarship; and $980 for the Margaret Shaffer Maney Memorial Music Scholarship.
• Approved bylaw and board policy changes as recommended by NEOLA.
• Accepted the resignation of Alyssa Putman as junior varsity softball coach for this year and also approving Jay Royer as junior varsity softball coach for the current year. Putman was also approved as a volunteer junior varsity softball coach.
• Approved the All-Star Football Game between players in the Western Buckeye League and those in the Midwest Athletic and Northwest conferences, for Friday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. Rain date is Saturday, June 9, at the same time.

The next regular meeting of the Van Wert City Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in the First Federal Lecture Hall.