C’view bd. hears Hall of Fame proposal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education accepted the resignation of six veteran teachers and also heard a proposal for an Educators Hall of Fame at the school during its February meeting Monday evening.

Former principal Ray Etzler and several other retired educators attended Monday’s school board meeting to talk about the possibility of creating a Crestview Educators Hall of Fame display within the school. The Hall of Fame would honor former educators from Crestview and its predecessor school districts, including Wren, Tully-Convoy and Convoy-Union schools.

Etzler said a committee had been formed approximately a year ago to discuss the idea of having a hall of fame for former teachers, as well as some ways it could be funded if the district could not come up with money

“It’s nothing that going to make our school look cheap,” Etzler said of the planned display, which would be similar to one already established in the Wayne Trace Local School District. Et

Cost is estimated at a bit over $1,000, not including the lettering for the plaques that would be created for each honoree.

“That sounds a little bit salty,” Etzler said, but said

“Our school is well-known for its academic prowess and this has to do with the number of teachers that have put their lives and dedication into (Crestview) becoming a school that (is) known statewide,” the former principal said.

Crestview Superintendent Mike Estes clarified for the board that the Hall of Fame would not include active teachers, but only those who are retired, although it could include deceased educators.

Etzler said organizers would seek nominations for the first Educators Hall of Fame class from the community, with the initial class five or six, with possibly three or four inducted each year after that.

Board members liked the idea, and verbally committed to provide some funding and space for the display.

Also Monday, the Crestview board accepted the resignations of several veteran teachers and staff members who are retiring at the end of the school year.

Retiring staff members include middle/high school teacher Mary Alvarez, who is retiring after 30 years in education, 26½ of those in the Crestview district; high school teacher Diane Kiehl, with 27 years in education and 17 at Crestview; middle school teacher and coach Owen Pugh, with 35½ years in education, 33 of those at Crestview; elementary teacher Rebecca Wells, with 26 years in education, 23 of those at Crestview; and cook Joy Schaadt after 18 years in the district.

The board also accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Christi Cook after 15 years of service to the district.

Other personnel action included a supplemental contract with Chad Pugh and Lindsay Ebbeskotte as junior varsity softball coaches, on a 70/30 shared basis; and approval of the following supplemental contracts: Jeff Millay as eighth grade softball coach, and Madison Preston and Mackenzie Richard as eighth grade volunteer softball coaches.

The board also approved a revised overnight trip for the Senior Government class to Columbus and Dayton on March 11-12, with teacher Nehemiah Murphy and learned from High School Principal Mike Biro that the district had received a flag that flew on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier as a thank you for funds raised in the district for the Cup o’ Joe program that provides coffee to military personnel.

The board also approved a contract for Internet service with the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Service Cooperative and went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken following the session.

The next meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 18, in the district boardroom.