Former Minster school building to be auctioned

MINSTER - The former Hanover Street school building will be auctioned this summer.

Superintendent Brenda Boeke told school board members Monday night an auction is the next step involved in divesting ownership in a public building as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. The building was closed prior to the 2011-2012 school year.

"I would like to take care of this during the summer," Boeke said.

Board members would reserve the right to reject any or all bids. No date for the auction was set; the sale must be advertised publicly for 30 days.

"If all bids are rejected, the board could still seek a buyer for the building," Boeke said following the meeting. "The building has potential and is too good to tear down."

Staff members will have an opportunity to take items and supplies from the building for classroom use. Any remaining furnishings will be dispersed through a public auction that has not been scheduled.

Treasurer Laura Klosterman told board members the school's 0.2-mill recreation levy expires at the end of the year. Members must pass a resolution of necessity at the June meeting and additional legislation in July to place the levy on the November ballot.

The district collects $18,000 annually from the tax. Proceeds are earmarked for Melcher Street Park, which the school district owns, and Seventh Street Park, which is leased from the village.     Klosterman said the levy has been in existence since at least the 1970s, as she found mention of a 1983 renewal in school records.

Board of education members also,

• approved 2013-2014 administrative salaries for superintendent Brenda Boeke, $91,000; treasurer Laura Klosterman, $61,860; junior/senior high school principal Michael Lee, $81,050; and elementary principal Leanne Keller, $73,400.

• issued one-year contracts to the following personnel for the 2013-2014 school year: Craig Muhlenkamp, science (seventh and eighth grade) and pre-chemistry; Abigail Knapke, elementary intervention specialist/Title I; Tracy Halpin, elementary intervention specialist; Keisha Wolters, high school math; Kylee Schlater, sixth grade language arts; Kathleen "Katie" Eilerman, gifted program; and Geron Stokes, junior/senior high school intervention specialist.

• approved contracts for seven classified employees, 32 supplemental positions and 35 student employees (for summer custodians and substitutes and cafe workers and substitutes during the school year).

• accepted the resignations of library/instructional aide Diane Wyen effective May 31 and administrative secretary Brenda Young effective Oct. 31.

• learned commencement exercises are 1 p.m. Sunday at the elementary school gym. Fifty-one students are set to receive diplomas.

• accepted the following donations: $4,420.81 and $100 from the Academic Boosters for teacher supplies and an end-of-the-year party, respectively; $200 from Minster American Legion Auxiliary for the playground; and an anonymous donation of $1,324 toward the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.

• approved an agreement with the American Red Cross to allow school buildings to be used as shelters in the event of an emergency and approved a three-year contract with Cornerstone Rehabilitation Ltd. for occupational, speech and physical therapy - services previously provided by the Educational Service Center of Auglaize County.

• recognized numerous students, including Rocket Club members and adviser Ted Oldiges, for their achievements. The club took top flight honors at a NASA Student Achievement Initiative earlier in the year. Two Minster teams - the only ones from Ohio - also competed last weekend in the Team America Rocketry Challenge near Washington, D.C., placing 50th and 85th out of 100 teams. The local Saturn Shooters team earned top design honors with its zebra-inspired entry.

• set 8 p.m. June 17 as the date and time for the next meeting at the elementary school.

• met in executive session to discuss employment and compensation of a public employee. No action was taken.