Marion Local forms task force

MARIA STEIN - A task force of about 35 local residents has been formed to provide input on a possible building project to address space shortage at Marion Local Schools.

Superintendent Mike Pohlman told school board members at Monday night's meeting that the community has responded well to a request to join the task force to examine possible options for a building project.

He said at least two meetings will be held to gain input on ways the district can address a space shortage that is expected to exacerbate as enrollment continues to rise.

Pohlman said administrators and not more than two board members will participate in the task force meetings.

Pohlman said the administration will gather input from the meetings and report back to the full board later this year to determine the next steps in the building study.

District officials previously stated a master plan that includes classrooms, gymnasium, agriculture education suite, commons area, locker rooms, weight room and administration offices has been developed by Garmann Miller Architects-Engineers of Minister.

Board members on Monday voted to move forward with placing a 9-mill, five-year emergency operating levy renewal on the Nov. 8 ballot. The current levy is for 10 mills. Treasurer Amy Reineke said the millage would be reduced because the district property valuation has risen by nearly $2 million from last year.

The board approved hiring Sue Bruns as the director of student services/elementary school assistant principal. Her salary has not been set. Bruns will replace Amanda Wendel who has taken a principal's position with St. Marys City Schools.Bruns previously served as intervention specialist/special education supervisor.

In other personnel action, the board hired Laden Delawder as intervention specialist, Lindsey Koenig as athletic department secretary and Abby Bruns, Kelly Koenig, Scott Sommer and Caitlin Homan as summer school teachers.

Ryan Homan was approved as boys basketball camp adviser and Eric Schulze was granted a family leave. The resignation of Liz Mescher as instructional aide was accepted.

The board also approved hiring Lori Koch as a consultant to district treasurer Amy Reineke on an as-needed basis at a rate of $40 per hour. Summer school teacher salaries were set at $23 per hour.

The board also,

• approved the auto, general liability, property and casualty insurance policy from Ohio School plan at a cost of $33,699. Cyber insurance coverage will be provided through Stolly Group at a cost of $3,185.

• learned from Reineke that lunch prices will remain at $1.75 for grades k-8 and $2 for grades 9-12 for the 2022-2023 school year.

• approved a contract with Rehabilitative Services Inc. for athletic trainers, physical therapists and other services for athletes effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, at no cost to the district.

• approved $500 payments to Lynne Yates, Todd Ashbaugh and Erica Schulze as college credit course teachers.

• approved a list of club and class advisers and activity budgets for the 2022-2023 school year.

• approved field trips for the marching band and ag science students for leadership training in Indianapolis and Tipp City, respectively.

• set the substitute teacher pay at $100 per day for days 1-10, $110 for days 11-60 and service beyond 60 days at the teacher scale with a bachelor's degree. The board raised the pay for the first two categories by $10 per day.

• heard high school principal Tim Goodwin congratulate Allison Bruns for being accepted as a Girls State delegate this summer.

• heard elementary principal Nick Wilker commend Jeanna Heitkamp for being one of four teachers in the state to receive Ohio Teaching Awards of Excellence in Mathematics. He noted the award came with a $1,000 grant. Wilker also congratulated students who received various awards during the school year.

• approved the athletic handbook, which contained minor changes, according to Pohlman

• went into executive session to discuss employment of a public employee. No action was taken after the one hour and 15-minute session session.

A special board meeting to approve fiscal year-end appropriation changes has been set for 1:30 p.m. June 23 in the board conference room in the elementary school. The next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m. July 12 in the board conference room.