Board appoints Flack to fill post

CELINA - School board members on Monday appointed Craig Flack to fill the unexpired term of Matt Gilmore, whose 20-year stretch on the board came to an end at a meeting in May when he announced his immediate resignation.

Board members at Monday's special meeting held interviews with three finalists - Flack, Corey Yoder and Christopher Mohler, board president Bill Sell told the newspaper.

"The board selected Craig. He was a strong candidate," Sell said.

Flack will serve out Gilmore's unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2021, according to a resolution approved by board members on Monday. Flack is a teaching pastor at Celina First Church of God, school documents show. He has a wife and two children.

"If selected to serve I believe I could be a positive voice, alongside our administration and staff, for the wonderful things Celina Schools are doing," Flack wrote in his resume. "I have a gift at communicating complex topics and issues in an effective, calm and understandable manner."

In addition to a teaching pastor, Flack was a spokesperson for the 2020 Bulldog Levy Campaign and is vice president of the board for House of Hope Recovery Home.

Board members on Monday also approved a two-year intermediate school principal contract to Jennifer Birney. She replaces Derek Wenning. Last month board members approved a change of contract for Wenning from principal to high school social studies teacher.

"Mr. Derek Wenning has gone back to the classroom at Celina High School," superintendent Ken Schmiesing said in video shared on social media. "Birney is actually coming to us from the east side of the state, not far from Pittsburg."

She comes to Celina with seven years of administrative experience, Schmiesing said.

Board members also moved to approve Garmann Miller & Associates for pre-bonding services for a potential school building project.

Sell told the newspaper that the board has a few weeks to decide if it will place a building bond issue and tax levy on the Nov. 3 ballot.