C’view hires 4th kindergarten teacher

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education hired a fourth kindergarten teacher and also approved supplemental position changes during its last meeting prior to the start of school on August 30.

Crestview Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf introduced new kindergarten teacher Colby Kuhn during Monday’s board meeting, noting that a fourth kindergarten teacher was needed because of this year’s large kindergarten class. The board later offered Kuhn, who has also taught in a boys’ school in the Arab country of Jordan, a one-year limited contract.

Mollenkopf said that 72 kindergartners were enrolled for the 2012-2013 school year, which would have meant 24 students to a teacher — a ratio she said was too high. Hiring a fourth teacher, which the elementary principal said was needed following staff cuts over the last couple of years, would bring the student-teacher ratio to 18, a much better number for education purposes, Mollenkopf told the board.

Other personnel action included accepting the resignation of Keith Langdon as Scholastic Bowl advisor — a position he has held for a number of years — and Craig Taylor as middle school football coach. New supplemental contracts were issued to Jim Wharton as head baseball coach, Gregg Mosier as junior varsity baseball coach, Terry Crowle as varsity baseball assistant, Doyle Sheets as eighth grade baseball coach and Matt Perkins as seventh grade baseball coach. Owen Pugh, coach of last year’s state-title winning softball team, will return this year in that position, while Carl Etzler was hired as a varsity assistant, Becki Macki as eighth grade coach and Chad Pugh as seventh grade softball mentor.

Track coaches were also approved and include James Lautzenheiser as varsity head coach, Mary Alvarez and Randy Grandstaff as varsity assistants, and Diane Wilson as middle school track coach.

Open houses have also been scheduled in the elementary and middle schools. Mollenkopf said the elementary open house will be held on Tuesday, August 28, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., while Middle School Principal Dave Bowen said the middle school open house, for seventh-graders and new students, will be at 6 p.m. Monday, August 27.

Bowen also noted that the Van Wert County Fair band show would be held on Wednesday, August 29 — the first day of the fair — while the cheerleader competition will be held Saturday, September 1. Bowen said those wanting to see Crestview’s band perform should go early, as the band would be the first to perform that evening.

Superintendent Mike Estes provided an update on items remaining from the district facilities project, noting that installation of interior doors was “98 percent complete,” while installation of rubber tile should be completed by the start of school.

An open house and community dedication of the project is set for October 14.

The board also approved bus schedules for the upcoming school year and approved October 12 and March 1, 2013, as district waiver days.

The board also went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken afterwards. The next regular meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, September 17, at 6 p.m.