C’view board learns about hunger project

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education heard a prize-winning student speech, learned about a project created to fight hunger, and also took a number of personnel actions at its April board meeting on Thursday.

Crestview student Courtney Cearns gave her first-place Optimist Club Oratorical speech to the board. This year’s theme for the contest was “How My Best Brings Out the Best in Others” and Cearns’ speech referred to how her positive attitude influences others, such as during her role as a teacher’s aide for kindergarten students.

Also at the meeting were National Honor Society members Leslie Skelton and Hannah Bowen, who attended with advisor Deanna Ray. The students gave information about the organization’s project with Kids Against Hunger.

Kids Against Hunger is a nonprofit organization that provides highly nutritious packaged meals and sends them to different countries. The packages provide lunches for less fortunate children in places such as Haiti and the Philippines. Crestview students were able to see the packaging process and get an up-close look at the process, said Ray.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf noted there were 45 kindergarten students currently registered for the upcoming school year, while Middle School Principal Dave Bowen thanked the teaching staff for working through the start of the testing week.

High School Principal Mike Biro provided information that listed Crestview High School as being 100th out of more than 800 high schools in the state and 2,009th in the nation.

Superintendent Mike Estes also reported to the board about the potential to receive a Straight A grant that is currently in the works.

Also Thursday, the board accepted resignation letters from Greg Rickard as girls’ head basketball coach, after 26 years, and Jordan Miller as high school language arts teacher, after two years. The board thanked both for their service to the district.

One-year administrative contracts, effective August 1 through July 31, 2017, were given to Amy Gerardot as assistant district treasurer and Mary Strickler as food service supervisor. Shane Leeth was also granted a three-year administrative contract as technology coordinator, effective August 1 through July 31, 2019.

Beginning the 2016-2017 school year, several one-year contracts were also granted as follows: Jennifer Croft, high school life science teacher; Jeff Bagley, high school science teacher; and Owen Pugh, bus driver.

Several certified teaching contracts were approved for the 2016-2017 school year: One-year limited contracts: Erin Camenisch, Casey Dowler, Torie Hile, Jason Lozer, Anthony Springer, Rachel Ciminillo, Aaron George, Timothy Hurst, Shawna Putman; Three-year limited: Allison Reindel, Jenna Wurst, Mimi Wreath; Five-year limited: James Lautzenheiser; Continuing: Kristie McCormick, Matt Perkins, and Lindsey Newlove.

The board also approved several Classified Contracts effective the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year as follows: Diane Boroff, two year limited Food Service; Elizabeth Cunningham, one year limited Paraprofessional; Jennifer Daugherty, two-year limited Paraprofessional; Sandy Etzler, two year limited Secretary; Amy Hyitt, one year limited Paraprofessional;  Eliza Lichtensteiger, one year limited Paraprofessional; Janice Lichtensteiger, two year limited Secretary; Heather McClure, one year limited Paraprofessional; Dan Miller, one year limited Bus Driver; Sara Owens, two year limited Paraprofessional; Candice Sites, one year limited Paraprofessional; Courtney Smart , one year limited Paraprofessional; Drew Uncapher, one year limited Custodian; and Susan Watts, one year limited Paraprofessional.

In other action, the board also:

• Approved the seventh grade trip to the Ohio Statehouse and the Ohio Supreme Court in Columbus on May 12.
• Approved an overnight trip for the junior varsity and varsity girls’ softball teams to Columbus Children’s Hospital under the supervision of Coach Carl Etzler and staff May 7-8.

The next meeting for the Crestview Board of Education is set for Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. in the district boardroom.