Tuesday, September 19th, 2017

Celina board fires teacher

Instructor accused of making false allegations

By Tom Stankard
CELINA - High school intervention teacher Gregg Fledderjohann's contract was terminated by the board of education on Monday evening.
Fledderjohann, who had previously served as a third-grade teacher, submitted a report to the Ohio Department of Education that reportedly contained allegations regarding staff members that he knew were false or were intentional misrepresentations of events pertaining to the American Institutes of Research test taken in December, according to the resolution to terminate.
Fledderjohann reportedly made false allegations of misconduct by elementary school principal Cory Ahrens and third-grade teacher Jenna Hodge, according to the resolution. Fledderjohann also failed to report his allegations of test security violations to a district test coordinator, a building test coordinator or a building principal, the resolution states.
His conduct reportedly violated board policies and a professional conduct licensing code, which mandates staff members to be honest and act ethically, according to the resolution. The policies require staff members to refrain from knowingly or willingly making false statements about colleagues.
Prior to this, Fledderjohann had been reprimanded three times, according to the resolution. On Sept. 8, 2016, he was reprimanded for accusing a staff member of taking classroom supplies from his classroom and for conversing with a staff member in a tone she found to be threatening.
On Feb. 9, he was reprimanded for reportedly asking students to keep secrets from their parents and for removing a student from the classroom when the student told the secret to a parent. In addition, he was directed not to refer to student's personally identifiable information and to use educationally appropriate words when speaking to students.
In October 2005, he was reprimanded for reportedly taping students to chairs and putting rubber bands around a student's ankles.
The district hired Fledderjohann in 1995 as a Tri Star Career Compact teacher. He later taught second grade for 12 years and third grade for four years, superintendent Ken Schmiesing said this morning.
He was appointed as an intervention specialist prior to the end of last school year but never served in this capacity as he had been placed on paid leave beginning April 21, Schmiesing said this morning.
Board members had agreed to terminate the tenured teacher's contract during an executive session at a special meeting earlier this month and unanimously voted to do so at Monday's meeting. Schmiesing declined to comment on the matter after the meeting.
Board members appointed Eric Mohler as a substitute teacher to fill the position until a permanent replacement can be found, Schmiesing said. Mohler previously has substituted for the district.
Mohler likely will continue teaching for the remainder of the semester, and then the board will review the position again, Schmiesing said.
Neither Fledderjohann nor Celina Education Association representatives could be reached for comment this morning by press time.
In other news, board members learned the Council of Chief State School Officers has donated $884 to Tri Star for its students to construct three buddy benches, which will be placed at the primary school playground.
Primary school principal Michelle Duncan said the benches are intended to teach students how to be more inclusive during recess.
"If a student didn't have somebody to play with during recess but wants to play, he or she would go sit on the buddy bench. The other kids would then go over and engage the child in activity," she said.
"So much of recess is about the social interaction for students," Schmiesing said. "Hopefully, that will have a positive impact."
Board members also,
• authorized the use of six district school buses and drivers to transport Grand Lake Marathon participants on Saturday. The marathon committee will reimburse the district for the cost of drivers and mileage. Costs are expected to be about $1,400, Schmiesing said.
• accepted the donation to Tri Star's RecTech program of five robots from Honda of America. The total value of donations is $16,500.
• accepted donations to the Tri Star Med Prep program of two benches and one hospital bed from Mercer Health.
• approved six possible overnight trips for Tri Star club competitions.
• approved an overnight trip to Chicago on May 10-11 for a fifth-grade gifted competition.
Additional online story on this date
FORT RECOVERY - Council members likely will vote at their Oct. 2 meeting whether to permanently ban medical marijuana facilities within the village. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
CELINA - For the first time since 2004, city councilors are poised to change the base electricity rates to be more fair to all customers, stabilize revenue, reflect projected power costs and provide funds for anticipated capital expenditures.
Minster
MINSTER - The district's $10.3 million middle/high school renovation project should begin in March and be completed by August 2019.
Superintendent
ST. MARYS - Bill Balderaz, a 1993 Memorial High School graduate, will be recognized as one of the top entrepreneurial catalysts in Ohio at the VentureOhio Dinner tonight in Columbus.
Action allows sending city truck, linemen to hurricane-ravaged Florida
CELINA - City utility workers will be allowed to help in other states impacted by man-made or natural disasters after city council's action on Monday night.
From staff reports
Mercer County again reported the lowest county unemployment rate in Ohio.
August's rate in the county fell 0.3 percent to 3.2 percent, according to data released today by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Celina plays well but falls to Ottawa-Glandorf
CELINA - Ryan Jenkins can't fault the effort of his Celina boys soccer team. The shots just weren't dropping.
The Bulldogs had plenty of chances to
FORT RECOVERY - The last time the Indians were on the floor at Fort Site Fieldhouse, they upstaged top-ranked New Bremen in four sets.
Fort Recovery didn't need that many sets on Monday against Russia.
Compiled by Colin Foster and Gary R. Rasberry
St. Henry defeated St. Marys 167-175 in boys golf action on Monday at the Elks.
Kyle Naumann was once again match medalist for the Redskins, shooting a 38. Jack Romer had a 41, while Seth King and Ryan Grieshop each had rounds of 44.
Celina woman has medals to prove her belief in active living
CELINA - Many doctors recommend an active lifestyle for seniors looking to improve their health.
Vi Von Deporche of Celina has put that recommendation into full action. At the age of 90, she is more active than many people half her age.