The Vantage Board of Education held the February Regular Board meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2019 in the District Conference room. During the Board meeting, Minutes from the February 7, 2019 regular Board meeting were approved along with financial statements for the month of January, 2019.
Superintendent Rick Turner began the meeting welcoming guests Scott Truxell (The VWIndependent) and Kirsten Barnhart (The Times Bulletin). He also welcomed Tony Unverferth, High School Director, and Missy McClurg, OTC Director.
Superintendent Rick Turner updated the Board on the 5-year Strategic Planning process stating that parameters, priorities, and timelines along with a discussion in regards to the online survey component will take place during March. The Career Tech deregulation bill, now bill number SB-69, has been introduced in the Ohio Senate by Senator Matt Huffman. The weekend of March 9-10 our FFA Chapter will be featured on This Week in Agribusiness. It will feature an interview with Casey Etter (Continental) and pictures sent from our FFA chapter. This Week in Agribusiness will air three times over the weekend (all times are central) 7:00 am Saturday, 5:00 am Sunday and 9:30 pm Sunday. It will air on RFDtv. In closing Mr. Turner mentioned the All-Area Boards Dinner which is occuring on April 4. The Vantage Color Guard team will Present the Colors and Wayne Trace’s music department will provide the entertainment. The board meeting will begin at 5:15 pm and dinner will follow at 6:00 pm.
High School Director Tony Unverferth updated the Board on Open House and Taste of Vantage which was held on February 25. Hundreds of former students, community members, along with perspective students and their families came to Vantage that night to see all that we have to offer. There were 20 businesses set up throughout the building. Thanks was given to staff and student ambassadors who volunteered time to show of the building and labs. FFA week was held February 19-22, due to weather and other circumstances some of the events were moved to the following week, but praise is given to Mr. Mike Miller and his students. On February 21 we held our 3rd Senior Mock Interview Day. 30 local business professionals volunteered to come being our interviewers and provide great feedback to our students. Mr. Unverferth closed by acknowledging the Vantage Blookmobile coming up March 20-22 in the Cup and Saucer, organized by Mrs. Wendy Baumle and Mrs. Leigh Carey along with the Red Cross. Last year we set a record in number of donations, earning a great deal of scholarship money for one of our students in the process. The goal this year is to exceed that record set last year.
Ohio Technical Center Director Missy McClurg updated the Board on Open House as well as it was quite successful with the OTC office staff, coordinators and students participating. The Practical Nursing Program spots are filling quickly so those interested should begin the application process as soon as possible. The next STNA class beings on April 1 and there is work with Putnam County ESC to begin a new STNA class for high school students. The first class of our Fire Fighting class began tonight. Anyone wanting to view videos associated with our nursing, medical assistant, police academy, STNA, Customized
Training of welding programs can go to the Vantage YouTube Channel. These videos will be used with OTC’s Virtual Reality tour to speak with homeschool seniors about continuing education at Vantage and also during enrollment periods on social media. Mrs. McClurg close by discussing a few new classes slated for next year including a 280 welding, 150 hour machining class, a combined CPR and First Aid Saturday class and a free job prep/soft skills class.
In new business, the Board:
• Employed the following list of employees, as needed, as scheduled: Paula VanTilburg, Career Tech Supervisor; Ted Verhoff, Career Tech Supervisor; Dianna Ashbaugh, Assistant Treasurer; Anna Baker, Superintendent Secretary; Alaina Ellis, High School Secretary; Lisa Enyart, Cafeteria; Tara Miller, Cafeteria; Miriam Owens, Community Relations Coordinator
• Employed the following Ohio Technical Center Instructors: Steven Stechschulte, Police Academy Instructor; Douglas Edelbrock, Fire Fighting Instructor; Christopher Cline, Fire Fighting Instructor; Jon Jones, Fire Fighting Instructor; Tami Blanton, Medical Assistant Instructor; Kelli Bergstrom, Practical Nursing Program Instructor; Ashlyn Pierstorff, Practical Nursing Program Instructor; Barrett Dorner, Fire Fighting Instructor; Jessica Hoyng, Practical Nursing Program Instructor Appointed Anthony Unverferth, High School Director, as the District’s Homeless Liaison per school policy.
• Approved an out of state field trip for Construction Equipment, Electricity, and Carpentry (up 10 students total) to attend the Building Contractors Association seminars in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on March 12 and 14, 2019.
• Approved an overnight stay for FFA members to participate in the State FFA Ag Mechanics competition in Wooster, Ohio, on April 4-5, 2019.
• Approved an overnight stay for SkillsUSA State contestants in Dayton, Ohio, for April 12-13, 2019. Approved an overnight stay for SkillsUSA State contestants in Columbus, Ohio, April 15-17, 2019. Approved an overnight stay for FFA members to participate in the State FFA Outdoor Power competition in Wooster, Ohio, April 22-23, 2019.
• Approved an overnight stay for FFA members attending the State FFA Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, May 2-4, 2019.
• Approved an overnight stay for FCCLA State contestants in Columbus, Ohio, April 23-26, 2019. Accepted the donation of $250.00 from Herbert Orr Company to be used for materials for the STEM Project.
• Accepted the donation of $250.00 from Unverferth Manufacturing Company to be used for materials for the STEM Project.
• Approved the 2019-20 Permanent Improvement Equipment purchase list.
• Accepted the resignation of Christy Wortman, OTC Medical Assistant Instructor, effective February 14, 2019.
• Accepted the resignation of Kathleen Tyler, OTC Interim Director, effective February 13, 2019. Accepted the resignation of Mary Jo Wilhelm, Community Relations Consultant, effective immediately.
• Approved a resolution to waive the 45-day notice and approve the City of Van Wert Residential Community Reinvestment Area Agreement between Jennifer Pipenger of 535 South Vine Street, Van Wert, OH and Vantage Career Center.
• Approved the College Credit Plus Memorandum of Understanding between Rhodes State College and Vantage Career Center.
• Approved the removal of April 19, 2019 as a calamity day makeup for the 2018-19 school year calendar. The makeup day schedule will then be April 22, May 23-24, and May 28-31.
• Accepted the resignation of Thomas Bowersox, custodian/maintenance, effective March 8, 2019. ➢ Approved an overnight stay for HOSA State contestants in Columbus, Ohio, April 9-10, 2019.
End of Superintendent’s Consent Agenda Items Outside of Consent Agenda Items
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1), the Superintendent moves that the Board adjourn to executive session for the purpose of considering the employment of an employee or official of the school district.
Adjournment – at the call of the President and at the pleasure of the Vantage Career Center Board of Education
Next meeting – Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 5:15 p.m. In District Conference Room; Regular Board Meeting; Annual Vantage All Boards Dinner Program 6:00 p.m. – Vantage Commons Area
