JACKSON CENTER — The Jackson Center Local Board of Education met on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, for an organizational and regular meeting.
The Board welcomed coaches and players from the 2015 Girls’ State Volleyball Championship team which finished 29-1 and captured the school’s first state championship in volleyball. Members in attendance were head coach Kim Metz and assistant coaches Sarah Kipker and Tara Spicer, senior players: Peyton Esser, Jayel Frye, Katrina McGowan, Erin Metz, Lauren Metz, Abby Meyer, Pauline Meyer, Erin Sosby and Tianne Spicer; Juniors: Kamryn Elchert, Camryn Hoehne, Miranda Hickey, Alicia Kessler, Cassie Meyer, Christen Ware and Vanessa Winner; and Freshman: Raquel Kessler.
The board approved a motion commending the girls’ volleyball team on their second consecutive SCAL and District title collected on their way to a 29-1 record and first state volleyball championship in school history. In doing so, the team lost just 5 of 94 games within their matches. The team will also receive a commendation at the state house in Columbus on April 6 and will be recognized on the floors of the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate.
As well, the Board welcomed Corinne Metzger to the meeting. Metzger is recommended as the new K-12 Technology teacher for the 2016-17 school year and, with approval granted later in the meeting, will replace Cathy Tenney who is in her final year.
Along with Metzger, the board voted to employ Steve Hoover as the varsity and junior high track coach for the 2016 spring season.
They also approved the following pupil activity contracts:
• Kylan Booser: assistant track coach
• Megan Modschiedler: varsity assistant softball coach
• Kim Halberstadt: volunteer varsity assistant softball coach
During a portion of the meeting, the board discussed items relating to the new Pre-K through 8th grade building.
The board voted to approve the reconciliation and conclusion of the design development project phase. Freytag & Associates (Architects) and Peterson Construction (Construction Manager) will now begin the bidding process within the next phase of development, which will eventually conclude with an agreement on a guaranteed maximum price (GMP), per the state process agreed upon by the district.
They also voted to approve Hill International, Inc. to provide the district owner agent services during the building process. As such, Hill International will assist in the evaluation of project progress to help ensure the quality and progress of the project relative to the costs being incurred by the district.
The board also approved the activity account purpose and budget for the Jackson Center Student Council, in which a rendering of the two story portion of the building scheduled to be demolished in 2017 will be sold as a fundraiser for the student council. The 8.5 by 11 inch rendering was painted and donated to the school by former art teacher and local artist, Barb Sailor.
Susie Harris donated several types of drums, valued at $2,100, to the band program. The Board publicly thanked Harris for her generosity and continued interest in the well-being of the band program. They then voted to accept the donation.
In addition, informational items brought up at the meeting included the release of state testing results. They are still studying and interpreting the data.
Superintendent Bill Reichert also reported that several business and local residents have expressed an interest in providing financial assistance for the school. Per request, ideas have been provided to one area business who is evaluating these ideas.
In the organization part of the meeting, the board voted to:
• Re-elect Brad Wren for the office of board president and re-elect Dana Ware for the office of vice president.
• Set meeting times for the 2016 year for the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the high school addition.
• Authorize the treasurer to make advance draws as available, invest inactive funds as available, pay bills as received within appropriations, and to borrow funds as necessary to meet obligations within appropriations.
• Appoint the superintendent as purchasing agent.
• Appoint the treasurer as Title IX Compliance Officer.
• Appoint the treasurer as the designee for matters concerning public records.
• Keep business travel mileage reimbursement at $0.45 per mile.
• Authorize the superintendent to approve professional meetings.
• Authorize the superintendent to accept resignations and make offers of employment. Both are subject to the ratification of the school board but are deemed effective at the time of the superintendent’s offer and completion of a satisfactory background check.
• Appoint the board president, superintendent and treasurer, along with Board Member Kristen Davis, to the the Finance Committee for 2016 calendar year.
The next board of education meeting will be held Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
