Vantage approves new board member

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education reorganized for 2015 and also held its January meeting on Thursday in the district conference room.

Board President Lonnie Nedderman, representing Crestview Local Schools, was re-elected to that position, while Pat Baumle, board representative from Wayne Trace Local Schools, was chosen as board vice president.

Nedderman and Baumle were also among five board members sworn in to new three-year terms on the board. Others sworn in included new board member Melissa Burtch, who replaces Parkway Local Schools’ representative Kim Brandt; Dennis Recker, representing Antwerp Local Schools; and Greg von der Embse, who represents Kalida Local Schools.

Greg Reinhart, who represents Paulding Exempted Village Schools, was appointed legislative liaison, while von der Embse was student achievement liaison.

Lori Davis, whose retirement was effective in December, was appointed interim treasurer until a new treasurer can be hired. Later in the meeting, the board heard an update in executive session on the treasurer’s search process from Dr. Jan Osborn, superintendent of the Putnam County Educational Service Center.

Other personnel action taken on Thursday includes the following: approved a one-year contract for Thomas Bowersox as a custodian and Miriam Owens as the superintendent’s secretary, replacing Vicki Smith, who left Vantage to become executive director of United Way of Van Wert County.

The following Adult Education instructors were also hired on an as-needed, as-scheduled basis: Kari Castro, Mel White, Kevin Van Oss, and Michael Dirr, (instructor’s assistant).

The following Vantage employees were also given supplemental contracts: MaryJo Wilhelm, Annette Klinger, Mike Miller, Jerry Robinson, Brent Wright, Larry Regedanz, Nancy Keith and Brenda Wurst, all related to the “Step Into Your Future” event.

Vantage Superintendent Staci Kaufman and Director Ben Winans also talked about the Vantage Open House and Taste of Vantage event scheduled for Monday, February 9. Vantage district residents are invited to the event, which features Vantage programs and also will include food items for purchase from area food vendors.

In other action, the board:

Accepted payment of $42,662 from the Van Wert County Foundation’s Rothacker-Lampe Bequest to be used to purchase electrical program equipment.

Acknowledged a 15-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement between Lion Farms and the Hoaglin Township Board of Trustees.

Approved Van Wert Community Reinvestment Area agreements with Herbert Odenweller, 255 Parkview Drive, and Paulette Brown, 257 Parkview Drive, in the city of Van Wert.

Heard the first reading of a number of new and revised policies, as presented by NEOLA.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 5, in the district conference room.