Vantage ready for school year but new building delayed

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

When high school classes begin on Thursday, August 20, Vantage Career Center will have just under 600 students to begin the new academic year.

High School Director Ben Winans gave an update during Thursday night’s monthly meeting of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education and said 335 of the students will be juniors and 262 will be seniors. He also noted that incoming student orientation will take place on Monday, August 17, for trade and industry programs and Tuesday, August 18, for business and service programs.

“To better accommodate increased enrollment, each evening will be split into two sessions,” he explained. “Information outlining specific session times has been mailed to all new students, and our student services team will be making follow-up phone calls throughout the week to assist with any questions.”

Winans also said staff members are scheduled to return to the building on Wednesday, August 19, for the school’s annual in-service and planning day. He noted the administrative team will introduce new team members and outline primary goals for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Rick Turner thanked the school’s 12-month staff members who have been working to prepare for the upcoming school year.

“The maintenance staff has the building and grounds in great shape, while our IT department has been busy ensuring our technology is up to date and ready for staff and students,” he said. “Additionally, our administration has filled all open positions and is currently working on orientation and professional development activities to support our new employees.”

He also said a meet-and-greet has been planned for 5:45 p.m. Thursday, September 3, prior to the monthly board meeting, to allow board members to meet with new employees.

While the main campus is ready for the new school year, the building that will house the Vantage Academy of Medical Careers won’t be open in time. The original plan was to have it ready in time for the 2026-2027 school year. Alexander and Bebout President Sara Zura spoke to the board Thursday and gave a new completion date of September 29. In the meantime, classes will continue to be held in their current location.

“While we are disappointed that we will not be in the Academy of Medical Careers for the start of the school year, we remain focused on the magnificent training facilities that it will provide for our students and our community for many years to come,” Turner said.

The Vantage Academy of Medical Careers will be located in the former Thomas Edison building across the street from the main campus.

The personnel portion of Thursday’s agenda was rather light. Kevin Van Oss was given a one year contract as an industrial mechanics instructor and Dekota Walden was hired as a custodian. A handful of supplemental contacts and stipends were given approval. Before adjourning, the board went into executive session to discuss personnel, but no action was taken.

Adult Education practical nursing program and LPN-RN transition program student handbooks were approved, along with handbooks for preschool parents and special education policy. A list of substitutes from Western Buckeye ESC and a list of bus and van drivers were approved, and the board set school breakfast and lunch prices with no changes, and accepted cafeteria bids from Nickles Bakeries for bread and Kemp Dairy for milk.

A memorandum of understanding was approved with Apollo Career Center for the Aspire Program, and a memorandum of agreement with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was given approval.

Early on in the meeting, board member Karen Grothouse was sworn in for a new three year term. She represents Delphos City Schools. After the oath was administered, the board and administrators heard from Silas Foltz, a student from Paulding High School who was a national BPA winner, and Cruse Schroeder (Ottoville), a national SkillsUSA winner.

The next meeting of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, in the district conference room.