C’view board OKs personnel actions

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education took care of personnel matters on Monday in its first meeting held following the end of the school year and also took the first step to renewing its income tax levy.

During its June meeting on Monday, the board adopted a resolution of necessity – the first of two resolutions needed to place the renewal of its 1-percent income tax levy on the November ballot. A discussion among Crestview school administrators and board members held during a June 4 work session decided that, although the district is receiving additional revenues from a wind farm and other sources, renewing the income tax levy would be necessary to provide sufficient operating revenues for the coming school year, although the board also agreed to take Superintendent Mike Estes’ recommendation not to collect revenues from the district’s emergency operating levy because of the additional revenues coming in.

In personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of high school social studies teacher Nehemiah Murphy, who was also senior government trip advisor, after a year in that position. Second-round interviews are being scheduled to find a person to fill Murphy’s position.

The board also approved employment contracts with Nicole Kirkpatrick as a middle school-high school art teacher, and Shay Sheets as a middle school language arts teacher. Sheets, who attended Monday’s meeting, was introduced to board members.

The board also rescinded acceptance of Joy Schaadt resignation for retirement purposes, at her request.

Treasurer Laura Metzger noted that expenses were up $200,000 more than anticipated this past school year, mostly due to an early textbook purchase and needed fund transfers.

During administrator reports, Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf talked briefly about a new report card system being implemented this coming school year, and also praised fifth-grade students for their efforts on the math and reading achievement tests.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen talked about the upcoming 1:1 student computer program and also noted that eighth grade students also had excellent test scores.

Estes expanded a bit on the 1:1 computer program, noting that District Technology Coordinator Shane Leeth was pleased with the laptop computers recently received to be used in the program. A staff professional day will be scheduled for training on the new computers.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the transfer of $100,000 from the General Fund to the Retirement Benefits Fund, as well as several other lesser transfers.
• Approved amended Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations, as presented, and FY 2014 temporary appropriations.
• Accepted, with thanks, the following donations: $987.50 from the Klein Trust of The Van Wert County Foundation, for needy students; and $1,500 from The Van Wert County Foundation for the music department.
• Approved hiring Jacob Mengerink and Tanner Skelton as 2013 summer technology workers.
• Authorized using Jill Carpenter, Deanna Ray, Diane Wilson and Judy Wortman as summer high school intervention/education teachers on an as-needed basis.
• Approved Darrel Clayton as a volunteer cross country coach for the 2013-2014 school year.
• Congratulated the Division IV state final four Knight baseball team and track state competitors Mycah Grandstaff and Isaiah Kline for their successes this season.
• Approved elementary, latchkey, middle and high school, athletic department, band, and choir handbooks for the coming school year.
• Appointed Estes as Crestview’s administrative representative to the Van Wert Area Schools Insurance Group.
• Approved the second and final reading for various NEOLA board policy updates.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel, with no action taken afterward.

The next Crestview Local Board of Education meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 15, in the district boardroom.