Laid off teacher gets to keep job

ROCKFORD - One of four Parkway employees recently laid off was given back her job on Tuesday while the other three were denied return by board members.

The four, elementary school teacher Tara Baltzell, middle school teacher Jennifer Smith, high school teacher Jessica Rolfes and media specialist Abbie Hathaway, had lost their jobs in response to the district's deficit spending, treasurer Debbie Pierce said.

However, the district was able to save enough money through recent retirements and resignations to offer Hathaway back her job. She likely will take over the social studies position vacated by Janelle Plasterer, whose resignation board members accepted on Tuesday, Pierce said.

The four had filed grievances on May 29 through the Parkway Education Association to keep their jobs, Pierce said. After reviewing their cases, district officials found no violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of any contract provision.

Pierce's most recent five-year financial forecast showed deficit spending of $143,711 for fiscal year 2017, which ended June 30, and an anticipated deficit of $385,347 for fiscal year 2018, which began July 1.

Officials also had cut four other positions through attrition, eliminating a guidance counselor, a physical education and two special education positions. Factoring in these cuts, Pierce predicted deficit spending to fall to $240,694 by fiscal year 2019. The revocation of the teachers' contracts would eliminate the deficit and give the district a $5,870 surplus by fiscal year 2019, according to Pierce's report.  

Board members issued contracts to Holly Deitsch, Alyssa Young and Kara Rupp to serve as part-time teachers' aides. The three had been Mercer County Education Service Center employees working at Parkway. Bringing them on as district employees instead of contracting with the ESC will save the district money, Pierce said.

Members also issued a supplemental contract to Doug Hughes as varsity boys' basketball coach. Prior to the decision, Willshire resident Tom Baxter opposed the contract, saying the coach "is so controlling."

"He appointed team captains. It should be voted on by the team. That's one of the things that bothered me. He tries to push kids down underneath his thumb," he said.

Board member Tom Lyons cast the only "no" vote when deciding on Hughes' contract. He declined to comment on his decision.

In other action, board members,

• met executive session to discuss personnel appointment or evaluation and confidential matters as required by federal/state laws and statutes.

• approved the following supplemental contracts for the 2018-2019 school year: Andrea Kinion as junior high cheer coach, Abby Sutter as a volunteer cheer coach, Robert "Dusty" Rutledge as varsity football head coach, Jason Kinney as varsity football assistant coach, Joel Henkle as varsity football assistant coach, Aaron Temple as varsity football assistant coach, Jordan Thompson as varsity football volunteer assistant coach, Chad Bruns as varsity football volunteer assistant coach, Jeremy Joseph as junior high football head coach, Ken Scott as junior high football assistant coach and Kyle Osborne as assistant junior high football coach.

• approved one-year contracts for the upcoming school year for preschool teacher Joni Piper and teachers' aide Kari Cron based on enrollment.

• approved Michelle Tribolet and Kari Cron as administrators and supervisors of the preschool program for the upcoming school year for $750 each.

• approved a continuing contract for Michael Gause as a teacher for the upcoming school year.

• approved issuing a one-year contract to Stephanie Miller as a cafeteria worker for the upcoming school year.

• approved the list of August graduates, pending their completion of all requirements set forth by the school district and the Ohio State Department of Education.   

• approved an overnight field trip request from middle school principal Brian Woods for fifth-graders on Oct. 1-2 to Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine. The trip will include about 90 students.