Vantage welcomes new bd. members

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education, including new members Eric Germann of Lincolnview, Debby Compton of Van Wert, Cliff Wieging of Fort Jennings, and Kim Wannemacher of Ottoville, reorganized on Wednesday evening.

Board President Lonnie Nedderman of Crestview was re-elected president, while Ron Bradford of Continental was named vice president.

During the required budget hearing, Vantage Treasurer Lori Davis gave the new board a report on the tax budget that was later approved during the regular meeting.

Davis noted that revenues were increasing, with additional money coming from a number of sources, including approximately $117,000 through open enrollment, an additional amount from the Robert P. Mone Power Plant in the Crestview district, and $245,000 from wind turbine fees, as well as additional money from casino payments.

During the regular board meeting, Davis also reported on the status of the school’s renovation/construction project, noting that approximately $150,000 has yet to be paid out for work done on the $35 million project. An open house is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. Monday, February 10, after the final work is done.

Davis also noted that the district has seen $17,000 in electricity savings after five months of using solar power at the school building.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman talked about water damage in the building related to the winter storm received in early January and also noted that Vantage had used its five calamity days, meaning any further days would have to be made up. Presidents Day has already been chosen as a possible makeup day.

Vantage Director Ben Winans also talked about the storm and thanked maintenance staff for doing a good job of snow removal related to the storm.

Kaufman also talked about new scholarships being offered through Iberdrola Renewables’ Blue Creek Wind Farm, which would offer $1,000 to a military veteran enrolled in Vantage’s Adult Education program, and a second possible scholarship that would go to a student enrolled in a technical program.

Adult Education Director Pete Prichard noted that Wright State University’s Lake Campus is offering classes at Vantage three nights a week, while Vantage is also preparing for an accreditation visit.

In other action, the Vantage board:

• Approved a number of housekeeping actions during its organizational meeting.
• Approved financial statements and board minutes for the December 5 meeting.
• Approved supplemental contracts for MaryJo Wilhelm, Annette Klinger, Reesa Rohrs and Leigh Carey related to the Step into Your Future event.
• Accepted the following donations: metal tubing valued at $1,521.64 from Advance Chassis of Antwerp to be used by the welding classes, and a grant of $37,000 through the Rothacker-Lampe bequest administered by The Van Wert County Foundation, to be used by electrical/electricity classes.
• Authorized Community Reinvestment Area agreements with Harry Schaffner, 569 S. Chestnut St., and Warren Straley, 563 S. Chestnut St., both in Van Wert.
• Approved a waiver day for February 24 for the purpose of staff development.
• Approved a number of NEOLA new and revised policies.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 5, in the district conference room.