Vantage holds annual All Boards Dinner

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

State Senator Cliff Hite got a lesson in welding on a state-of-the-art simulator during this year’s edition of Vantage Career Center’s All Boards Dinner. The dinner, which was held in the new commons area for the first time, brings together members of boards of education from all of Vantage’s home schools.

The program, presented by Vantage Welding instructor Brent Wright and students Chase Stahl and Derek Carter, showed how the new virtual reality welding simulator actually saves Vantage money (around $6,000 annually) while also providing feedback to welding students on what they’re doing right … and wrong.

Hite, who was a good sport during the demonstration, said he thought the new machine was “cool.”

During the regular Vantage board meeting held prior to the All Boards Dinner, Superintendent Staci Kaufman provided a report on the construction project, noting that while new construction areas all passed inspection, there are still plenty of things yet to do before the areas are completed.

Items yet to be completed include a slipshod painting job that needs redone, Kaufman told board members.

The board also adopted a resolution awarding contracts to the low bidders for office and shop equipment and dining furniture packages. One package, that involved classroom furniture and accessories, was not adopted and may have to be rebid, the superintendent said.

Treasurer Lori Davis also provided an update on the Vantage audit, noting that the school had a “clean” audit this year, earning an award from the Ohio Auditor of State.

Also during the brief meeting, the board:

• Employed the following people on an as-needed, as-scheduled basis: One-year contracts – Ashley Cline, special education coordinator; Shane Falke, special education teacher; Daniel Joyce, science; Jaime Kipfer, math; Matt Miller, science; Mike Miller, Ag Diesel; Sherryl Proctor, math; Angie Shellabarger, special education coordinator. Two-year contracts – Tony Unverferth, social studies. Four-year contracts – Robin Burns, Culinary Arts; Jill Dewert, Interactive Media; Amy Grothouse, cosmetology; Mike Klutka, Industrial Mechanics; Larry Mengerink, Buildings and Grounds; Sarah Noggle, Paulding Satellite Ag; Lynda Ragan, Van Wert Satellite FCS; Larry Ray, Precision Machining; Bob Spath, Van Wert Satellite Project Lead the Way; Mike Villena, Auto Body; and Brent Wright, welding. Continuing contracts – James Fisher, guidance counselor; and Katie Drerup, science.
• Authorized the daily rate plus an additional three-eighths of a period a day for Maureen Teman for this school year.
• Non-renewed Teman’s temporary contract as cosmetology instructor.
• Non-renewed Brenda Wurst’s position of Buildings and Grounds educational aide, effective the end of this school year.
• Increased the number of working days for Community Relations Coordinator MaryJo Wilhelm from 183 days to 203 days.
• Employed the following Adult Education instructors on an as-needed, as-scheduled basis: Alaina Ellis, Kimberly Haas, Michelle Pohlman, Health Careers; Keith Williamson and James Loughrie, Police Academy; Shawn Nutt, Trade & Industry; and Richard Busch, EMT.
• Authorized overnight trips to Orlando, Fla., for the National FCCLA contest from July 8-12 and to Chicago, Ill., for the National BPA contest from April 25-29.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in the school’s new Community Room.