C’view hires first middle school principal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education took a big step toward implementation of a middle school program during its April meeting, approving a three-year contract to Dave Bowen as middle school principal. Bowen also serves as district athletic director.

The action was taken as a result of a recommendation from the district’s PRIDE Committee, which has been looking at improving district test scores, to transition the junior high into a middle school program.

Also Monday, two other administrators were given new contracts, with both Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf and Program Services Director Keith Rydell receiving three-year contracts. Their contracts, as well as Bowen’s, will run from August 1 through July 31, 2014.

“We have a fine group of administrators here, and I appreciate the job that each of these three do and what they bring to the table,” said Superintendent Mike Estes prior to the board approving the above administrative contracts. “They’re here for the right reasons: to do what they can for the kids.”

The board also hired Anne Myers as a K-12 intervention specialist, approving a one-year contract, while Lori Orsbon was also given a one-year contract as EMIS coordinator, effective the upcoming school year. Jeremy Best was also reassigned to the position of high school intervention specialist, beginning the 2011-2012 school year.

Estes and Board member John Auld also discussed items still pending from the district’s Ohio School Facilities Commission facilities project.

Estes noted that test results are still not back from rubber tile flooring that has been a problem since it was installed, while also noting that a manifold system for the vocational agriculture building, lights for the area around the dumpsters and interior door refinishing are still incomplete.

There was some good news, though. Treasurer Laura Metzger said the district has received more than $500,000 in payments from the Robert P. Mone power plant that are not earmarked for any special purpose, while Estes noted the district is on track to graduate June 11, with the last day for students June 9.

The earlier graduation date was possible because the district scheduled make-up days on holidays and on two successive Saturdays to make up calamity days, while the Ohio General Assembly adopted legislation returning the number of calamity days a school district can use to five. Estes did note, though, that the June 9 graduation date is based on the district not having to use any more calamity days this school year.

High School Principal Mike Biro noted that prom would be held this year on April 30, with after-prom activities also held at the school this year, thanks to the Van Wert Optimist Club.

A number of other personnel matters were on Monday night’s agenda, with the board approving a number of other employment contracts. Those include the following:

Teaching staff – Jennifer Bowen, three-year limited; James Lautzenheiser, two-year limited; Beck Macki, two-year limited; Kristie McCormick, five-year limited; Lindsey Newlove, two-year limited; Matt Perkins, two-year limited; Shawn Schuette, three-year limited; Trista Semer, continuing; and Josh Thomas, three-year limited.

Non-teaching staff – Heather Baker (paraprofessional), continuing; Robert Hall (bus driver), continuing; Robin Miller (custodian), continuing; Terry Plas (paraprofessional), continuing; Connie Marsee (custodian), continuing; Sherri Springer (secretary), continuing; Gary Tinnel (custodian), continuing; and Charlene Weaver (food service), continuing.

A number of supplemental contracts were also approved. Those include the following:

Greg Rickard and Trent Kreischer, athletic directors-assistant athletic directors; Joshua Thomas, band; Jeremy Best, head boys’ basketball coach; Mark Gregory, boys’ basketball varsity assistant; Dave Bowen, junior varsity boy’s basketball coach; Mike Myers, freshman boys’ basketball coach; Trey Stover, eighth grade boys’ basketball coach; Dan Miller, seventh-grade boys’ basketball coach; Best, boys’ Mini Knights basketball coach; Kristie McCormick, CK-TV director; Mike Bowen, Michelle Brinkman, Anne Myers, Paul Pohlman, Terri Sutton, Junior Class advisors; Pam Brown, Dan Kline, Kristie McCormick, Gregg Mosier, Shawn Schuette, Sophomore Class advisors; Jeff Bagley, cross country head coach; Darrel Clayton, Kristy Bagley, cross country assistant coaches; Dave Smart, junior high cross country coach; Terri Sutton, FCCLA advisor; Greg Rickard, girls’ basketball head coach; Trent Kreischer, girls’ basketball assistant coach; Diane Wilson, junior varsity girls’ basketball coach; Becki Macki, eighth-grade girls’ basketball coach; Owen Pugh, seventh-grade girls’ basketball coach; Rickard, girls’ Mini Knights coach; Melissa Mefferd, girls’ soccer head coach; Jeremy Best, golf head coach; Dan Kline, government trip advisor; James Lautzenheiser, Model UN advisor; Danille Hancock, musical director; Sandy Grooms, Junior High Scholastic Bowl advisor; Judy Wortman, Student Council advisor; Tammy Gregory, volleyball head coach; Kris Kill, volleyball varsity assistant; Sara Owens, junior varsity volleyball coach; Lori Hammons, eighth-grade volleyball coach; Dianna Hicks, seventh-grade volleyball coach; Owen Pugh, eighth-grade Washington, D.C., trip advisor; Kristie McCormick, yearbook advisor.

Joy Short was also approved as a volunteer girls’ varsity assistant coach, effective next school year, while Ann McCoy will not return to the supplemental position of junior high football and basketball cheerleading coach, while the board also accepted Ben Winans’ resignation as varsity assistant track coach.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $500 for the Brenda Showalter Schumm Girls’ Athletic Scholarship Fund.
• Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $250 to pay for lunches for underprivileged high school students.
• Accepted, with thanks, $1,000 from an anonymous donor for two senior scholarships.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action to be taken afterward.
• Designated the week of May 2-6 as Staff Appreciation Week in order to honor Crestview’s staff.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be 6 p.m. Monday, May 16, in the district boardroom.