Prior to the regular Vantage monthly Board meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2015, the Board held a tax budget hearing, a public hearing, and an organizational meeting. President Pro-Tem Lonnie Nedderman (Crestview) called the organizational meeting to order and the oath of office was administered to returning Board members Dennis Recker, Antwerp, Lonnie Nedderman, Crestview, Greg von der Embse, Kalida, and Pat Baumle, Wayne Trace, and to new Board member Melissa Burtch, Parkway.
Elections were held and Lonnie Nedderman from Crestview was elected President and Pat Baumle from Wayne Trace was elected Vice-President. Greg Reinhart from Paulding will serve as Legislative Liaison and Greg von der Embse from Kalida, as Student Achievement Liaison. Regular monthly meetings were scheduled for the first Thursday of each month, with the April Board meeting to be held at 5:15 on April 2, 2015, prior to the All Boards dinner. The July Board meeting will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2015. Lori Davis was appointed as Interim Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for Vantage Career Center and was authorized to request tax advances from appropriate county auditors, pay outstanding bills, make general fund transfers and invest active, inactive and interim funds. The Vantage Career Center Board of Education Service Fund was set at $8,000.
Superintendent Staci Kaufman was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Vantage Career Center, Purchasing Agent, Signatory for salary notices and contracts following Board of Education employment or salary notice adoption and the official to review and approve student activity budgets. The Superintendent was authorized to extend employment contracts as well as accept resignations between regularly scheduled board meetings when necessary for the efficient operation of the school. The Superintendent was authorized to approve staff member attendance at professional meetings and to approve travel and business related expense vouchers, leave forms, etc. She was appointed as the Vantage VWASIG Board Representative. The Treasurer was authorized to approve travel and business related expense vouchers and leave forms, etc., submitted by the Superintendent. The Vantage Board of Education as a whole was designated to serve as Audit Committee for the finances for the school district. The Van Wert Times Bulletin was designated as the official school newspaper.
Membership was approved for the Ohio School Boards Association, Association of Career Technical Education, Ohio Association of Career Technical Superintendents, and ETPI – Education Tax Policy Institute, and OSBA Legal Assistance Fund. Legal counsel and cashier positions were designated. Petty cash funds were set.
At the regular board meeting, the minutes from the December 4, 2014 Board meeting were approved, along with financial statements for the month of November, 2014. The 2016 Vantage Career Center Tax Budget was approved as presented at the Budget Hearing. Approved was an Amendment to Appropriations and Revenues for FY15. The Treasurer was authorized to compensate Vantage Board members at the maximum rate allowable by law of $125 per meeting.
Superintendent Staci Kaufman gave a general update on the district office and first reading of NEOLA recommended policies. High School Director Ben Winans reported that during the month of December the Vantage students and staff worked together to help those in need in our local community. One project was the Toss A Toy Program, which provides toys to those who are less fortunate. Amy Grothouse and the VCC students spearheaded the drive at Vantage and were able to raise over $2,400 to purchase toys. Marcia Osenga and the Early Childhood Education students assisted with the project. Junior and senior Health Tech students purchased gifts for 9 Christmas tree “angels” after visiting Country Inn. The winners of the University of Northwestern Ohio Scholarship Testing that took place in October were announced and two Vantage Network Systems seniors claimed the top two spots. Dmitry Billingsley from Continental, placed first and received a full tuition scholarship, while Zach Crider from Parkway, placed second and received a $5000 scholarship. On December 9, 2014, 17 students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. FFA members held a very successful fruit sale this year and are calculating the total profit from the sale. The Industrial Mechanics students have completed the fire pit projects that are being donated to the home schools as well as an extensive project for Kennedy Manufacturing. The Welding program seniors are currently on a record breaking pace in regards to their AWS certifications. If all goes well the rest of the year, this year’s seniors will graduate with the most certifications of any that have attended Vantage Career Center. Preparations are underway for Sophomore Visitation Day on February 4, 2015 and Open House and Taste of Vantage on Monday, February 9, 2015. All community members are invited. The Poetry Out Loud contest will be conducted after school on February 2. Adult Education Director Pete Prichard reported that we were awarded a two year accreditation this year with ACCSC. This process was a complete group effort. The Medical Assistant program has been upgraded by adding additional certification. All participants will be trained to get an STNA and PCTB, which will allow them to work as a nursing assistant and or a pharmacy technician. The Vantage Police Academy has had the most dramatic improvement over the last few years in regard to retention, completion and credentials. The Assessment Center served more than 700 people this year who were seeking credentials in business and industry.
In new business, the Board:
• Employed Thomas Bowersox (1 year) Custodian, and Miriam Owens (1 year) Superintendent’s Secretary;
• Approve the following supplemental contracts: MaryJo Wilhelm, Annette Klinger, Mike Miller, Jerry Robinson, Brent Wright, Larry Regedanz, Nancy Keith, and Brenda Wurst, “Step Into Your Future” as presented;
• Employ the following list, as Adult Education instructors, as needed, as scheduled Kari Casto, Mel White, Kevin Van Oss, all Adult Ed Instructors, and Michael Dirr, Adult Ed Instructor’s Assistant;
• Accept a bequest payment of $42,662.00 from the Van Wert County Foundation to be used to purchase electronic items (Rothacker-Lampe Bequest);
• Resolution to acknowledge the 15-year Tax Increment Financing between Lion Farm and Hoaglin Township;
• Resolution to approve the Van Wert Community Reinvestment Area Agreement between Herbert Odenweller, 255 Parkview Drive, Van Wert and Vantage Career Center;
• Resolution to approve the Van Wert Community Reinvestment Area Agreement between Stephen and Paulette Brown, 257 Parkview Drive, Van Wert and Vantage Career Center;
• Resolution to approve the agreement with Forecast 5 Analytics, Inc. for 2015;
• First reading of NEOLA new & revised policies;
• Resolution to accept the Antwerp Board of Education representative, Dennis Recker to serve on the Vantage Board Education effective January 12, 2015;
• Resolution to accept the Crestview Board of Education representative, Lonnie Nedderman to serve on the Vantage Board Education effective January 12, 2015;
• Resolution to accept the Kalida Board of Education representative, Greg von der Embse to serve on the Vantage Board Education effective December 10, 2014;
• Resolution to accept the Parkway Board of Education representative, Melissa Burtch to serve on the Vantage Board Education effective January 13, 2015;
• Resolution to accept the Wayne Trace Board of Education representative, Pat Baumle, to serve on the Vantage Board of Education effective January 12, 2015.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1), the Superintendent hereby requests that the Board adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of considering the employment of an employee or official of the School District. No action was taken following Executive Session.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room.
