MINSTER – Minster Board of Education Superintendent Brenda Boecke reminded the board during its meeting Monday about the upcoming Oct. 27 open house will showcase the renovations of the junior/senior high school. It will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. with a re-dedication ceremony beginning at 1 in the cafeteria.
The $10.3 million renovation project was financed with $6.7 million in local funding through the 1-mill local income tax passed by voters last fall and a state share of $3.6 million from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission’s assistance program
The board accepted donations $317 for the library from the MHS Class of 1974, $300 for Positive Behavior Student Incentives from the Minster Service Club, and $600.20 for Finishtiming at the Minster Memorial Invite from both Minster Dental Care and H.A.Dorsten
In reports Boeke said the Business Advisory Plan, in collaboration with the Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance, fulfills the requirement of a Business Advisory Council for the district.
Additionally Boecke recognized the efforts of both Elementary principal Leanne Keller and Junior and High School Principal Austin Kaylor as part of The State of Ohio Principal’s Month. She thanked them for the dedication they give to the students and staff of Minster Schools.
Keller reported on the composite/overall value-added reports of the elementary school. She stated the strategic goal of improving growth was met. She also shared the number of students currently off track on Reading Improvement Monitoring Plans (RIMP) and early conference attendance. Lastly she shared the items discussed at her Principal’s Advisory meeting.
Kaylor shared the various accolades received by the school and students alike since being named a recipient of the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award. He also revealed end of season golf awards, Homecoming, and NHS induction.
He also provided information about the Academic Display Case in the front entrance, his Principal’s Advisory Committee, the potential for a new bell schedule and special events.
The curriculum and instruction update was provided by first grade teachers, Mandy Albers, Kelly Hess and Linda Winner. They shared the components of the “Into Reading” series. They updated the Board on the rigorous, challenging and interesting stories. The Board members said they were impressed with the vocabulary at first grade.
Boecke said the teachers did a good job sharing the materials, resources and assessment pieces of the program and the board was appreciative of the enthusiasm the teachers had for the program.
Treasurer Laura Klosterman was absent as she was attending the eighth-grade class trip to Washington D.C. The board reviewed her prepared report and approved the minutes, financial report and payment of bills.
The board approved 19 policies being revised or newly implemented based on current law. They also approved the amended Tr-Star agreement with specific references to three locations being removed from the old agreement and the teachers being under one contract with Celina. All school districts will also now have one representative instead of Celina, St Marys and Coldwater having two.
The board also approved the following personnel recommendations: Accepted for the purpose of retirement second grade teacher Lynne Heitbrink’s resignation effective the end of the school year; accepted cooks helper, Lucy Mescher’s resignation effective Oct. 16, 2019; approved Stacie Lamm as a substitute secretary; Matthew Niemeyer as a substitute bus driver and Mollee McCullough as a cook’s helper.
The board also approved Brian Stephey as a junior high boys basketball Coach, Nann Stechschulte as the varsity girls basketball assistant, and the following volunteers: Alyx Brandewie- high school football, Ray Hess- junior high football, Duff Hemmelgarn- girls basketball and Cody Frericks- junior high boys basketball.
The next regular Board meeting was moved from Monday, Nov. 11, to Thursday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. in the elementary large group meeting room.
