Board of Education recognizes students
The Wapakoneta City School District Board of Education members met Tuesday night at the high school in front of a larger than usual audience. The crowd was due in part to student recognition awards. This was the first time the awards were presented to students in-person since the COVID-19 outbreak last school year.
The awards portion was handled by the high school administrators.
"As the assistant principal, you have a tendency to deal with a lot of disciplinary issues," Doug Selvey said. "It's really cool… [High School Principal] Mr. Minnig, [Superintendent] Mr. Rex allowed me to do this."
Following Selvey's remarks, eighth-graders Emma Hunley and Brian Puckett, ninth-graders Eli Dekok and Harrison Green, 10th-grader Vanessa Young and 11th-grader Cameron Reichenbach received recognition awards. Reichenbach will also be competing in the state swim meet later this week.
These six students were selected out of the roughly 1,000 who attend the high school.
"That speaks volumes for each of you and what kind of people you are and what impact you are making on our building," Minnig said. "We truly appreciate it."
Following the awards ceremony, bus driver John Zwez was recognized. Zwez, who has worked for the district since 2005, retired and was rehired last October.
In other personnel items, the board of education approved the hiring of Susan Harrod as a teacher/ social worker for the second semester of the 2020-21 school year. Kristin Runser was employed as as a high school study hall paraeducator.
Supplemental contracts were also approved for the 2020-21 school year for:
* Summer Griner, high school track assistant;
* John Johns, high school track ratio;
* Kevin Allowing, middle school track;
* Nick Wolke, middle school track ratio;
* Doug Whitmore, baseball assistant;
* Dakota Brown, baseball assistant;
* Marshall Gerlach, baseball assistant;
* Mike Bogan, baseball assistant;
* Jeffrey Schleeter, middle school baseball;
* Joe Dellinger, middle school baseball;
* Diane Sammons, softball assistant;
* Dan Fisher, middle school softball
* Jamie Walley, middle school softball.
* Nick Truesdale, weight room, spring
* Todd Erb, weight room ratio, spring
* Brent Copeland, weight room ratio, spring Volunteers Carly Brown, softball, and Madison Watt, boys tennis were also approved.
Supplemental contract for the 2021-22 school year were also approved:
* Travis Moyer, head football;
* Megan Brown, head volleyball;
* Mike For, head girls soccer;
* Scott Brinkman, head boys soccer;
* Marshall Gerlach, head boys golf;
* Save Acheson, head girls golf;
* Toma Hainline, Head girls tennis.
Mike Watt, director of operations for Wapakoneta City Schools, provided an update on last week's fire at the school's football stadium and shared new bids for the repair and restoration. One bid came in at just over $60,000, and figures for the second bid were unavailable.
In school reports, Cridersville Principal Jason Wolke announced the Right to Read Week kicks off March 1. This year's theme is 'read all year,' and every day of the week will mark a new holiday. For example, St. Patrick's Day will be on Monday, and Tuesday will be Independence Day. The big event will be that Friday, where staff - including Superintendent Rex - and students should dress up as their favorite book characters.
Wapak Elementary Principal Nikki Sutton thanked custodial and maintenance staff in dealing with school snow removal.
Middle School Assistant Principal Kyle Cutnaw announced Principal William Snyder has been in quarantine but will be returning to school tomorrow.
"He's going to look forward to it," Cutnaw said. "He's been raising kids and doing homework himself, so he's ready for a break to come back."
Aaron Rex announced the Pfizer vaccine clinic will be Saturday at the YMCA, and said after receiving their shots teachers won't be required to quarantine for at least three months.
"That's really good news," Rex said.
The board approved donations from Geenex Solar, LLC, Ambrose Chocolate Company, Fitzpatrick Media Group and Cridersville Church of the Nazarene.
Daniel Landis is resigning effective Aug. 31, and several employees are retiring or taking a leave.
The board authorized the district's wish to advertise for bids to purchase new buses. Gregg Rupert and Ron Mertz were selected to serve on the Compensation Committee.
The board ended its meeting following an executive session where no action was taken.
The next school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at Wapakoneta Elementary School.