L’view building project up for discussion

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

More discussion is expected soon on a possible addition/renovation project at Lincolnview Elementary School.

Member of the Lincolnview Board of Education and administration toured special education and school library facilities at Elida and New Bremen on Monday and during Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Jeff Snyder said it’s time to discuss the project further.

“I propose that we review plans in those areas and look at going to the next steps,” Snyder said. “Hiring construction counsel, contracting with architects and then getting to the next stage for plans, bid process and dates of project.”

The board agreed to hold a work session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, for more discussion of the project.

A possible addition/renovation project was first broached in late 2019 but the idea was set aside due to COVID-19.

Several personal service and supplemental contracts were given approval Wednesday night, including Ben Cowan, assistant track coach; Becky Fackler and Clay Erman and Karla Bowersock, assistant softball coaches; Eric Giessler, junior varsity baseball coach, and Shawn Hovlid, junior high baseball coach.

Marcia Weldy was approved as a substitute aide for the remainder of the current school year.

The board accepted the retirement-resignation of guidance secretary Randi Schaadt effective at end of the 2021-2022 school year, and the resignation of kindergarten aide Whitney Akerman.

During his report, Treasurer Troy Bowersock said he’s working on an updated five-year financial forecast and he said the 2020-2021 state audit is in the closing stages. He also noted the USDA’s free lunch program, which has provided free lunches to all students during much of the COVID-19 pandemic is scheduled to expire June 30.

“There is a lot of discussion out there whether that’s going to continue or not,” Bowersock said.

Middle School/High School Principal Brad Mendenhall said the high school prom is scheduled for May 7 at the Jr. Fair Building, and he told the board the choir recently earned a ‘Superior’ rating at a recent OMEA large group competition.

Elementary Principal Nita Meyer said kindergarten registration was held last week and 68 students were registered with he possibility of more on the way.

Board members heard a brief presentation by Science Club advisor Greg Byrum, freshman Lindsey Hatcher and junior Preston Bugh about the recent Science Olympiad regional competition held at Bowling Green State University. Six Science Club students competed in 11 of 23 events and earned 10 top finishes in five of the events.

Hatcher placed first in the Green Generation event, becoming the first Lancer in school history to win a regional event.

“It was a little intimidating being just a solo freshman taking the tests and I wasn’t very optimistic going into the awards but I was pleasantly surprised,” Hatcher said.

She also placed fourth in the Dynamic Planet event, eighth in cell biology and seventh with teammate Connor Johnson in environmental chemistry. Bugh competed in several events as well.

In other business the board:

• Gave approval to advertise for bids for the purchase of three new school buses.
• Approved an agreement with Mr. Ed’s Driving School.
• Approved a contract with Sylvan Learning Center for ACT prep instruction services.
• Approved seventh and eighth grade Washington D.C./Gettysburg trips September 11-15.
• Approved an overnight trip for FFA students and instructor Jordan Dues to the State FFA Convention in Columbus May 5-6.
• Accepted a $150 donation from the Convoy United Methodist Church Ladies on a Mission for the elementary needy student fund.

The board met in executive session to discuss personnel, but no action was taken afterward.

A strategic planning meeting will be held from 6-9 p.m. Monday, March 28, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall, followed by the work session on March 30. The next regular meeting of the Lincolnview Local Schools Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.