WBESC board OKs personnel contracts

VW independent/submitted information

The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board met this week and approved a number of contracts, as well as congratulated the county winners of the Franklin B. Walter Award, during its March meeting.

Superintendent Brian Gerber announced the winners of this year’s FBW Award. Scholarship winners were Ashton Bowersock in Van Wert County and Scott Wenninger in Paulding County. The scholarship award was established in 1989 by Ohio’s county superintendents to honor outstanding student achievement in and out of the classroom. One senior is chosen from each county to receive the award.

“All the candidates who applied were outstanding and tops in their school,” Gerber said, noting that each candidate is rated in five areas: ACT score, grade point average, a personal goal statement, awards, and activities. Each category had a maximum of five points, with an overall maximum of 25 points awarded. The student with a score closest to 25 was selected as the scholarship winner.

Gerber also discussed the Mid-Biennial Review with the board, noting that it would be done before June, while adding that, although there could be some educational action included in the MBR, that won’t be known yet, since the education committee has not finalized any language for a possible amendment.

The superintendent also information the board that the WBESC’s Ohio Department of Education area coordinator, Ron Heitmeyer, has retired. Heitmeyer, who had been coordinator for 15 years and provided excellent service to local superintendents, is being replaced by Abby Dewar. Dewar has both principal and superintendent’s experience.

The following personnel contracts were also approved by the board: Margaret Schilb, one-year limited part-time; Jeff Humason, two-year limited; George Dougal, one-year limited part-time; Christine Feichter, one-year limited part-time; Maria Clawson, three-year limited; Brian Gerber, one-year limited part-time; Sandra Freeman, one-year limited part-time.

The board also scheduled a public hearing on the retirement/rehiring of Nancy Ruhe and Pat Miller after the 2015-16 school year. The hearing will be held during the April 20 WBESC Governing Board meeting.

In other action, the board:

• Approved out-of-state training (sensory processing workshop) for Chelsea Zeedyk, paraprofessional/COTA.
• Approved new or revised board policies as recommended by NEOLA.
• Authorized 10 additional contract days for Laura Delong, assistant principal/special education coordinator, for the 2016-17 school year.
• Approved the WBESC school calendar.

The April meeting of the WBESC Governing Board will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the Paulding ESC office.