Vantage bd. hears construction update

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education was again forced to play “musical rooms”, meeting Thursday evening in the Medical Office Management classroom in the Vantage bus barn because the new community room is blocked by construction work.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman also provided a construction update during the board’s June meeting, noting that installation of terrazzo flooring is progressing, but also stating that there have been setbacks in other areas, but nothing that can’t be overcome.

Kaufman also led a discussion on whether prairie grass or other grasses that take less maintenance should be planted instead of a traditional lawn. Some board members were in favor of doing so, while others thought planting such grasses would leave the Vantage lawn looking “unkempt.”

The board also took action on a number of personnel items, accepting the resignation of Adult Education instructor Margie Hubert, who is retiring, and Shane Falke, special education instructor, effective retroactively to May 30.

The board also hired Paula Getz as Medical Office Management instructor, and Rose Kreitemeyer as the Paulding satellite Family Consumer Science teacher.

Also during the meeting, the board approved purchasing a new double-sided aluminum sign for Vantage at a cost of $42,639 and also renewed the school’s property, fleet and liability insurance for an annual premium of $35,357. Treasurer Lori Davis said the premium was a 13.3 percent increase over the past year, but noted part of that was because of the increase in building size and other factors.

The following supplemental contracts were also approved: Karen McGilton, Penny Baucom, Kaleb Baucom, all summer maintenance workers; Mary Ann Falk, lead academic teacher; Daniel Joyce, school improvement coordinator; Pat Vogel and Brent Wright, FWT welding participants; Sarah Noggle and Mike Miller, hired under the Fifth Quarter Ag Grant; and Penny Baucom, special event worker.

The following Adult Education instructors were also hired: Brandon Combs, Gary Carter III, Lucas Manns and Chase Stahl, welding lab aides; and Reese Rohrs, STNA coordinator.

Director Bob Vennekotter noted in his report that Vantage has been awarded the AWS Testing Facility accreditation designation for another three years. He also reported that all Career Tech students were assessed via web exams this year.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Penta Career Center for the ABLE program.
• Designated the Senior Health Technology instructor to serve as program coordinator for the nurse’s aide training and competency education program.
• Accepted the donation of scrap steel valued at $1,400 from WSI Gas & Equipment in Fort Wayne, Ind., for the career technical program.
• Accepted a donation of a 10-inch Ryobi table saw worth $100 from Ken Mengerink for the Buildings and Grounds program.
• Approved a Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption between Kimberly C. Bissonette, Vantage and the City of Van Wert.
• Approved NEOLA new, revised or replacement policies.
• Increased the number of working days for the guidance counselor from 183 to 203 and for the attendance/discipline officer from 183 to 188 days.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken afterward.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in the Medical Office Management classroom. A tour is also planned prior to the meeting, starting at 6:30 that evening.