L’view board hires teachers, buys buses

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Lincolnview Local Board of Education honored an outstanding track athlete, hired two new teachers, purchased two buses, and approved a new five-year contract for Superintendent Jeff Snyder during a busy summer meeting on Tuesday.

Junior-Senior High School Principal Brad Mendenhall and Snyder both honored Hunter Blankemeyer for his achievements during his high school athletic career.

Mendenhall noted that, in addition to finishing as the runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles for the second year in a row at the Division III State Track and Field Championships in Columbus, Blankemeyer had also earned numerous district and regional titles, as well as setting the school record in the 110-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash, being part of the school record-setting 4×100-meter relay team in 2014, setting the county track meet record in the high jump at 6 feet, 5¼ inches, and having the fastest time in Division III this past year in the 110 hurdles.

Snyder predicted that Blankemeyer, who is also an excellent student and earned a pipefitter’s welding certification this past year at Vantage Career Center, would also do well in his future work career.

The board later approved a resolution honoring Blankemeyer for his athletic accomplishments.

During his report, Snyder apprised the board of a new $70,000 grant the district received from Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide mentoring services to at-risk students.

“This grant is for mentoring services for students who need help academically,” the superintendent said, noting that four other area districts, Van Wert, Wapakoneta, St. Marys, and Wapakoneta, also were recipients of the grant. “We’re excited that we’re a part of that grant.”

Snyder said the Lincolnview district has received a number of grants at no cost to the district over the past 3½ years, and praised the leadership of the board in allowing the district to seek out grant opportunities.

He also talked about the impact of a Straight A grant on the district, noting that the $472,000 grant received by Lincolnview has made it the only district in the county able to provide all students in grades K-12 with their own computer. Three-quarters of the cost of the computers came from a state grant, while wind energy payments picked up most of the remaining cost.

Snyder also noted that Eric Miglin, district technology coordinator, told him he was surprised at how well students are taking care of their devices.

The superintendent also reported on collaborative efforts between Lincolnview, Van Wert, and Crestview school districts to develop cooperative education and internship opportunities with area businesses for students interested in pursuing a career locally. A meeting is being held today by administrators from the three districts to see what more can be done to increase students’ career readiness.

Also during his report, Snyder talked about requests to establish varsity sports in swimming and bowling, noting that the district is looking at the cost and sustainability of any new sports before establishing new athletic opportunities.

Also Tuesday, the board approved new contracts for two elementary teachers: Matt Evans, who will teach third grade, and Marla Kemler, a fourth-grade teacher who previously taught at Wayne Trace. A third potential employee, Lindsay Breese, was also at the meeting. Breese, an intervention specialist, will be considered by employment by the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center Governing Board during its June meeting next week.

Dan Williamson was also approved as an elementary summer school teacher, while Kirstie Schroeder (intervention services), Hollie Ford (social studies Ohio Graduation Test intervention), Rachel Rohrs (OGT math intervention), and Adam Owens (OGT science intervention) were given intervention summer contracts. Tachea Wall was hired as a paraprofessional for the summer.

Extended teaching contracts were approved for the following: Anna Baker, instrumental music, 20 days; Jay Hoersten, industrial tech, five days; Brenda Leeth, junior-senior high school guidance counselor, 20 days; and Deb Stetler, high school librarian, 10 days.

Several non-teaching contracts were approved Tuesday, including the following: Cheri Baer, two-year contract as a cook; Tara Linton and Stephanie Ashbaugh, one-year contracts as cooks; and Whitney Bigham, a one-year contract as a bus driver. Lucy Rice was also hired as a “bus runner,” someone who drives buses to and from maintenance provider Rodoc; while Craig Staley was hired to do minor bus maintenance under Rodoc’s supervision.

The board also accepted the resignation of Karen Ashley as food service supervisor after two years in that position. Snyder said the food service program did very well this past school year, and he foresees no prices increases for the upcoming school year.

The board also approved a five-year administrative contract for Snyder that runs through July 31, 2021, and authorized the purchase of two buses, 72-passenger and 84-passenger transit-style buses, from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service Inc.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted food bids, as follows: Dairymens/Borden’s Dairy of Ohio to provide dairy products, and Klosterman Bakery to provide bakery products.
• Approved an emergency resolution authorizing the district to provide flashing repairs to a wall of the junior-senior high school gymnasium where water has been getting in. Snyder said repairs are needed in order to use the gym during the upcoming school year.
• Hired Garmann Miller and Associates to conduct a feasibility study on possible future facility expansion/renovation projects.
• Amended district appropriations and also approved a fund transfer.
• Recognized senior Trevor Neate for receiving a $750 scholarship from the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
• Approved open enrollment students for the upcoming year.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.