Vantage recognizes retiring employee

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Vantage Career Center Board of Education members approved the school’s amended five-year forecast, while also accepting the resignation, due to retirement, of a long-time employee, among other personnel items, during its May meeting Thursday.

Board members present heard Treasurer Laura Peters provide an update on Vantage’s five-year forecast, with Peters noting that revenues were down a bit from the last update. Real estate and personal property taxes were both up, but the homestead rollback and other reductions decreased revenues approximately $14,000 since the forecast reported in October.

The Vantage treasurer also noted that the forecast showed deficits in 2019 and 2020, because revenues for tax issue renewals up in November 2017 couldn’t be counted, since there is no guarantee voters will pass the renewals.

Peters also noted that she is involved in several days of training weekly for implementation of MUNIS financial/human resources software. The software package is scheduled for implementation in the district next year.

She also noted that revenues in the future could be affected by career-tech requirements in the future, although she said it’s too early to know exactly what effect that will have.

“There is nothing set in stone at this point,” Peters told the board.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman talked about Vantage’s celebration of Staff Appreciation Week, and thanked board members for their support of Vantage staff members.

The superintendent also noted that a representative of Ohio Governor John Kasich’s office for workforce transformation toured Vantage and also participated in a discussion that included Vantage staff and several area businesses who provided information on their workforce needs.

Vantage Career Technical Center (Adult Education) Director Pete Prichard showed off a new brochure designed for adult ed. programs and also noted that Vantage was changing its marketing efforts somewhat, with more different ways in the works to market Adult Education programs.

Kaufman said the new marketing efforts are also targeting early enrollment, noting that knowing how many students are taking a particular course allows Vantage to get a better handle on how many teachers will be needed.

“Teachers are getting harder and harder to find,” the superintendent explained.

High School and Facilities Director Ben Winans noted that Vantage is wrapping up the current school year, including a number of internships and apprenticeships students have been involved in during the year.

Winans said just a few of the companies providing internships or early placement opportunities include Central Insurance, E&R Trailer, Ridge Quarry, Moorman Electric, All-Temp Refrigeration, Butler Mill Service, Mercer Landmark, and Alliance.

Winans noted that Vantage’s Ag and Outdoor Power Team placed first in the state (team member Zach Sinn was also first individually), while the school’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) team is currently in Boston, Massachusetts, for a national competition, with an FCCLA team heading to San Diego, California, later in the month for another national competition.

He also noted that Lincolnview student Hunter Blankemeyer the third student at Vantage to earn the difficult pipe-welding certification.

Winans concluded with the announcement that Vantage will have its student awards ceremony on Monday, May 23, in the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio. He also thanked Van Wert City Schools for providing use of the center for the awards ceremony free of charge.

The board also accepted the resignation of secretary Jo Mohr after 40 years of service to Vantage. Noting that with Vantage also celebrating its 40th year, Kaufman added: “We like to say she came with the building.”

Kaufman recognized Mohr for her contributions to the school.

“She has supported a lot of teachers and staff in her 40 years at Vantage, and I just want to make sure we recognize the quality of work she has done, and the commitment and dedication with which she has done it,” the superintendent said. “We are extremely thankful for her service.”

In other personnel items, the board hired Kenneth Pinks-Liebert and Cory Miller as summer technology help, and also approved the following supplemental contracts: Amy Grothouse, Mike Miller, Susan Farr, Beth Evans, and Theresa Ratliff-Dotterer were paid stipends for mentoring new Vantage teachers.

The board also approved hiring the following Adult Education employees: Austin Wisner, laboratory assistant, and Ruth Ann Fogle-Brickner, assessment proctor.

In other action, the board:

• Approved a resolution to purchase Precision Machine and Construction Equipment Technology equipment and Health Tech patient simulators, both for instructional use.
• Authorized a Community Reinvestment Area agreement with Van Wert resident Cynthia Young, 248 Parkview Drive.
• Approved memorandums of understanding with Apollo Career Center regarding a Adult Basic Literacy Education grant, one for Ohio Means Jobs services with the Defiance/Paulding consolidated Job and Family Services Department, and a renewal agreement with Ohio Means Jobs of Allen County.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding for the College Credit Plus program and a data sharing agreement with James A. Rhodes State College.
• Went into executive session to discuss matters required to be kept confidential by federal or state law, with no action taken afterwards.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the district conference room.