Parkway hires superintendent

ROCKFORD - Parkway board of education members on Tuesday hired a new superintendent, after a search of several months.

They also approved 2-percent raises for district administrators.

After narrowing a list of 11 superintendent candidates, board members voted to hire Jeanne Osterfeld. Her initial two-year contract begins Aug. 1 with a $94,500 salary.

Osterfeld had served as middle school principal at Versailles Exempted Village Schools. She could not be reached for comment by press time.

The other finalist was Robert Humble, superintendent at Fairbanks Local Schools in Milford Center.

Current superintendent Greg Puthoff in February announced his retirement effective July 31. He will have served in this position for eight years and as high school principal for four years.

"It's been a good 12 years," he said, smiling. "Had a lot of good things happen in that time."

One highlight Puthoff mentioned was helping move students and administrators into a new building in June 2006.

Since his announcement, board members have conducted several work sessions to select the right candidate.

"It took a lot of work, a lot of conversation and a lot of thought," board member Ryan Thompson said. "We were very fortunate to have had good applicants."

During the process, they looked for attributes such as putting students first and strong leadership and communication abilities with staff and the community.

The public and staff could contribute to the selection process through an online survey.

Board member Jeff Armstrong said he thinks Parkway "got a really good superintendent" with Osterfeld. Fellow board member Melissa Burtch agreed, adding she's pleased with Osterfeld's experience in education and looks forward to seeing how she is going to guide Parkway in the future.

Board members also approved a 2-percent increase in salary for administrators. Those receiving raises and their new salaries are high school principal Brian Fortkamp, $86,187; middle school principal Brian Woods, $79,551; elementary school principal Mark Esselstein, $76,135; and technology coordinator Talan Bates, $69,184.

Treasurer Debra Pierce also presented the five-year forecast. Expenditures barely exceed revenues this fiscal year leaving the district a $65,839 operating deficit, she said. She advised this could fluctuate. Expenditures this year were $11.92 million, and revenues were $11.85 million. Over the next two years, the district is expected to operate with a surplus of $151,794 in fiscal year 2018 and $63,366 in fiscal year 2019.

This fiscal year ends June 30, she said. The district will carry over a cash balance of $5.1 million into the next fiscal year.

Pierce said a 8.97-mill operating levy was renewed in November 2015 and the 1 percent income tax levy was renewed in May 2015. Income tax revenue is expected to increase.

Some larger purchases adding to the expenditures this year were a school van, computer equipment, musical instruments and office equipment, she noted, adding the district is not projecting any major changes in enrollment for the next five years.

Also on Tuesday, board members,

• approved membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2017-2018 school year.

• approved a one-year limited teaching contract for Alexis Line and Amber Swander. Line has a bachelor's degree and one year of experience and Swander has a bachelor's degree and no experience.