NEW BREMEN – The New Bremen Local School Board of Education heard news of retirements of prominent employees and the possible first day of school for the 2020-21 school during its meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12.
The board accepted the resignation of Gary Jones, who is retiring effective May 22, 2020. New Bremen Superintendent Jason Schrader said, “We really appreciate the time and service Gary has given to the district. We wish him the best.”
Jones spent 23 of his 30 years of service in the New Bremen school district, and was involved in the sports program early on in his career. He also is a math teacher, currently teaching Algebra II. After graduating from Marion Local High, Jones received his bachelors degree from University of Findlay and Masters from the University of Toledo.
Also retiring at the end of the school year after 20 years of service is Jane Moser, a library aide who worked 1-1 with students. Another employee, Peg Eilerman, is retiring at the end of the school year with 27 years of experience.
As part of his update on the progress of the new K-6 elementary building, the superintendent reported that bids that had come in for three alternate projects. The three project proposals, for playground equipment, technology, and loose furniture, are being evaluation to make certain each bid meets the project specifications before contractors are awarded bids.
In related activity, Schrader said that after reviewing bids for the High School Renovation project, which will accommodate the seventh- and eighth-graders, awarded a contract for $209,972 to H.A. Dorsten, Inc. for high school renovations. This contract includes Alternates #No. 1 and No. 2 and will convert the media center to allow video production, the business lab into a science lab and replace existing carpet and repaint rooms G105, H101, H102.
The new start date for the next school year will be decided at the March meeting. Schrader said they are considering starting the school year on Sept. 8, but want to consult with the contractor to ascertain that the move-in date is still Aug. 18, allowing school staff to set up for the new year.
Elementary Principal Diane Kramer told the board that there are currently 60 (32 girls and 28 boys) students registered for kindergarten screening, which will be held March 23-24.
She also said the winners of the Feb. 5 school district Spelling Bee for grades 4-8 was eighth-grader Ben Hamberg and runner-up, seventh-grader Emma Eshleman. Hamberg has been invited to represent New Bremen at the Regional Bee in Lima in March.
In relation to the new elementary building project, Kramer said Mandy Niekamp, architect with Garmann-Miller spoke to Junior Builders program students about the design process of the new elementary building.
Also, Kramer said teacher tours of the new building were held the weeks of Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 and that they are excited to see their new rooms taking shape.
Finally, she said the Believe in Yourself committee is planning for the end-of-the-year events on May 6-7 this year.
“We are partnering Cardinal Pride to sponsor a field day for all K-8 students. This includes continuing the 5K run as the culminating activity on the 7th. Prior to the run, they are also planning to have a final whole school staff and student picture taken at the corner of Plum and Walnut,” she said.
Junior/Senior High Principal Marcus Overman said Jared Bergman has been awarded the Honda-Ohio State STEM Medal this year. Also, Hannah Kramer is the Franklin B. Walter recipient this school year. The annual dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 1, beginning at 6 p.m.Whole grade course registration meetings have already been held.
Overman also said they are in the process of meeting with students individually to register them for their courses. He added that over the next few weeks they will be putting the master schedule together.
Finally, the principal said that they will begin administering extra test prep sessions in March leading up to EOC Assessments. Students who have been given less than 80 percent probability to pass the test, according to state data, had a letter sent home to parents listing the dates. All students are encouraged to attend.
Three people were recognized by the board for their volunteer work. They were Cortney Norris for track, Logan O’Neill for baseball and Mark Cisco for softball.
Five lawn care employees were employed on an “as needed” basis for 2020 at a rate of $10 per hour. They are Burt Fiser, Don Kramer, Greg Maurer, Rob Sniegowski and Wayne Gruebmeyer.
Under Board Information Items, they heard a report from the Auglaize County Auditor in regards to the yearly valuations of the school district for that particular calendar year and the percent of change over the previous year. For 2019, it was $124,347,960, an increase of 1.30 percent. This compares to 2018 valuations of $122,742,720, an increase of 1.62 percent.
The Board then adjourned for an executive session. No action was taken.
