C’view hires 5 teachers, enrollment rises

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — Personnel items dominated the final Crestview Local Board of Education meeting before the start of school next Tuesday.

During its August meeting on Thursday, the board accepted the resignation of high school social studies teacher Aaron George, after a year with the district, and custodian Linda Clay, after eight years service. George also resigned his supplemental positions of junior class advisor, government trip advisor, and junior varsity and freshman football coach.

The board then hired five new teachers, including Tessa Underwood as George’s replacement. She also was issued supplemental contracts as junior class advisor and government trip advisor. Other teachers hired include Steven Rickard and Connor Massillo as high school intervention specialists, and Deb Call and Bethany Balliet as elementary teachers.

Taylor Semer was given a one-year contract as a paraprofessional, while Heidi Hicks was issued a contract as a custodian. Geoff Waddles was given a revised contract as maintenance/custodial supervisor.

Three other teachers were moved to new positions for the upcoming school year. Darby Schwieterman and Jenifer Puthoff were reassigned to the position of elementary intervention specialist, while Colby Kuhn was reassigned as a first grade teacher.

The board also approved a number of supplemental positions, including: Jim Wharton, head baseball coach; Gregg Mosier, JV baseball coach; Terry Crowle, varsity baseball assistant; Doyle Sheets, eighth grade baseball coach; Matt Perkins, seventh grade baseball coach; Carl Etzler, head softball coach; James Lautzenheiser, head track coach; Randy Grandstaff and Allison Reindel, varsity track assistants; and John Rosebrock, JV football (60 percent) and freshman football (40 percent) coach.

Enrollment was a subject for two principals’ reports. High School Principal Mike Biro said high school enrollment increased 30 students, while Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf noted that elementary enrollment was 388, up 31 students over last year.

Biro, Mollenkopf, and Middle School Principal Dave Bowen all praised district custodians for the excellent condition of the school prior to classes starting next week, while Biro also noted Crestview was ranked 40th in the nation in an article on schools that do well in preparing economically disadvantaged students for graduation.

“Something good for us,” Biro said of the distinction.

Superintendent Mike Estes talked about the recent administrative retreat, while also reporting on the permanent improvement levy campaign. Estes said he had met with trustees of all the townships in the district, noting that all the meetings were positive.

The superintendent also polled board members on their support of a project to replace LED lighting in the school, noting he would like to bring Energy Optimizers back for a meeting to provide additional information before proceeding with the project.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the development of a master site plan by Minster-based architects Garmann Miller & Associates at a cost of $18,800.
• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $1,395 from the Van Wert County Foundation’s Klein Trust to provide assistance for needy students.
• Approved Paul Cearns, Jennifer Daugherty, Gregory Emrick, Doug Germann, Eric Hancock, Glenn Hicks, Bradley Hughes, Kirby Joseph, Michael Saylor, Shannon Smith, Robert Wilson, and Tracy Wolford as volunteer drivers for the box van used to transport swing choir and band equipment.
• Approved a list of substitute teachers, aides, and school nurses as presented by the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center.
• Approved bus routes for the upcoming school year.
• Approved a lease agreement with SRE Farms LCC to farm on land owned by the district during 2017.
• Approved the first reading of policy changes presented by NEOLA.
• Went into executive session to discuss personal items, with no action taken after the session.

The board also changed the September board meeting from Thursday, September 15, to Monday, September 12, at 6 p.m., in the district boardroom.