L’view discusses building project options

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education talked about possible construction upgrades and renovations to the school complex during its regular November meeting on Tuesday.

Brian Wolf of Garmann Miller & Associates spoke to the board about some potential ideas for upgrades and renovations in the school. A few ideas discussed during this presentation included expansion of classroom space, an addition to the bus barn, a third gymnasium or community center building, and renovations in the existing cafeteria.

In consideration of the constantly changing variables, the board held a preliminary discussion on several of the options and whether they would be a possibility in the future. The board plans to focus on prioritizing the projects first to decide in what order of importance each upgrade would fall.

Several of the projects would require a great deal of reorganization and a great deal of thought and discussion before any decisions can be made.

Elementary Principal Nita McKinney reported on the upcoming changes for the third grade guarantee. The AIR tests will take place between November 30 and December 11 and will be the new ELA tests. Tests will be broken into two 90-minute portions for reading and writing.

High School Principal Brad Mendenhall introduced “students of the month” for November and several students from previous months. The students all demonstrated exemplary characteristics and were recognized by the Lincolnview staff.

Both Mendenhall and McKinney also thanked those who put together and made possible the Veterans Day event that brought more than 100 military veterans to the school.

Superintendent Jeffrey Snyder spoke to the board about his experience at the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Dancing with the Stars” competition in Celina, noting that the event raised $2,600 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Several students accompanied Snyder during his dance, including some of the cheerleaders. Snyder assured the board that, while his team did not win any awards, they certainly left a lasting impression.

The board commended and praised student cast members and all those who helped make Lincolnview’s production of Little Shop of Horrors such a success. The board anticipates the next production as the drama department has evolved exponentially in the last few years.

Snyder also announced to the board that Eric Germann would be representing the school boards in Ohio as OSBA president. The board would like to congratulate Germann for the opportunity as well as to represent Lincolnview, Vantage, and Van Wert County as OSBA President.

Several Students of the Lincolnview FFA presented to the board a demonstration by the Parliamentary Procedure Team that will be going to competition. The team will have no idea what roles and motions each student will be assigned and will have a short amount of time once given the assignments to discuss with the team how to present this correctly during the competition. The board wishes the team good  luck at their competition.

Bryce Campbell, a 2014 Lincolnview graduate, was honored at the meeting for earning his 2015 FFA national degree this month at the National FFA convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Campbell is one of 21 students from Lincolnview to earn this degree, which is the highest FFA honor to be awarded.

The following supplemental contracts were approved by the board during the meeting: Rachel Rohrs and Ashley Miller, co-Spirit Squad advisors.

Randy Carey was also granted a personal service contract as seventh grade girls’ basketball coach following Bri Wyse’s resignation.

The board approved Kevin Homier as seventh grade boys’ basketball volunteer and Jeremy Ebel as seventh grade girls’ basketball volunteer.

Two donations were accepted, with thanks, by the board: A $5,000 donation from Pizza Hut and a $1,000 donation (first of five annual payments) from First Federal Savings and Loan for the softball field scoreboard.

Several grant payments were also accepted, with thanks, by the board, as follows: $2,500, Dominion Foundation Energy Choices; $2,992, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation; and $42,000 from Eaton Corporation.

In other action, the board:

• Approved policy updates from NEOLA Inc.
• Received “thanks yous” from Karen Ashley and the family of Virginia Harter.
• Approved Tachea Wall as a substitute teacher’s aide and cook for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year.
• Approved the 2014-15 school year settlement calculation of $26,058.26 due from the Marsh Foundation, as well as a fund transfer.
• Approved dates for the following extracurricular activities during the 2015-2016 school year: January 17, 2016 — high school band/choir selected members at District III Festival Concert; February 21, 2016 — Young Artist Recital for selected high school band/choir students; May 7, 2016 — Lincolnview Junior-Senior Prom.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.