Lincolnview board buys van, computers

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education heard a presentation on the district’s 21st Century Grant program, approved the purchase of a van and 200 computers during its September meeting on Wednesday.

Ashley Shepherd, co-coordinator of the 21st Century Grant program, and several of the program’s mentors and tutors attended the meeting to talk about the program, which provides before- and after-school tutoring and mentoring services, as well as development of positive life skills. The 30-week program runs until early May, along with a two-week summer camp in June.

The elementary school program operates with a $200,000 annual grant, which is shared between Lincolnview and Antwerp elementary schools and the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center.

The board hired Pauline Fleming later in the meeting as a 21st Century tutor and mentor.

Shepherd also said organizers hoped the program could be maintained following the elimination of the grant after next year.

Also Wednesday, the board approved the purchase of 200 computers at a cost of $64,000 from Xtek Partners Inc., and a passenger van, which cost $25,499, from Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service.

During his report, High School-Junior High School Principal Brad Mendenhall noted that seventh-graders would be traveling to Finance Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 20 as part of their Junior Achievement activities, while he also said parents of high school seniors should attend a College Night being held at Vantage Career Center from 6:30-8 p.m. to learn about the FAFSA application process and other college finance information. He also said the Lincolnview band will be competing in the Ottawa-Glandorf Band Competition on September 17 and the Columbus Grove Band Competition on October 8.

Elementary Principal Nita McKinney talked about testing and elementary field trips.

In personnel matters, the board approved several supplemental contracts, as follows: Marcus Meyer, seventh grade boys’ basketball coach; Matt Evans, sophomore class advisor; Kristy Ringwald, junior class advisor; Deb Stetler and Melissa Stork, halftime newspaper advisors; Chad Kraner, class play director; Stacie Korte, Drama Club advisor; Rachel Rohrs, math intervention teacher; Hollie Ford, English intervention teacher; Stetler, Student Council advisor; and Tonia Verville, National Honor Society advisor.

A personal service contract was also approved for Kinsey Miller, while Becky Matthews was hired as a substitute cook.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted, with thanks, the following donations: $225 from the Lincolnview Class of 1961 (the first graduating class of the school) and $224 from Middle Point United Methodist Church, both donations for the Needy Student Fund.
• Renewed membership in the Northwestern Ohio Educational Research Council Inc. for the 2016-17 school year.
• Approved a variable pricing agreement with Interstate Gas Supply Inc. for natural gas supplies.
• Authorized professional development expenditures for Greg Leeth for the 2016-17 school year.
• Advanced Kraner on the salary schedule from master’s degree to master’s plus 15 hours.
• Approved applications for the National School Lunch, Breakfast, and Snack Program and Government Food Program.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local School District will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, October 10.