VWCS hires elementary assistant principal

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert City Board of Education hired a new school administrator, approved a high school diploma for military veteran and also heard a presentation from high school guidance counselors Connie Ainsworth and Kerry Koontz on the Class of 2014 during its June meeting Wednesday in the First Federal Lecture Hall.

The board approved a three-year administrative contract for Justin Krogman as the new assistant principal for Van Wert Elementary School. Krogman, currently a third-grade teacher in the Celina City Schools, replaces VWES principal Beth Runnion, who retired after 30 years of service, 15½ of those with Van Wert City Schools.

Krogman, a 2003 VWHS graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 2007 and received his fourth/fifth grade teaching endorsement in 2010. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Dayton in 2012 and added principal’s licensure in 2013 from UD.

Krogman began his teaching career as a second-grade teacher in the Sidney Local School District in 2008 and also taught third grade in the Piqua Local School District a year before being hired at Celina in 2010.

Other new staff hired on Wednesday include the following: Katelyn Schindeldecker, firstgrade teacher; Tabitha Dickman, third grade teacher, Abbey Craft and Olivia Elkins, fourth grade teachers; Kelsey Moorman, Van Wert Middle School science teacher; Tricia Hughes, VWHS English teacher; Angela Myers, LifeLinks Community School teacher; and Kaitlin Roberts, Early Childhood Center paraprofessional.

Becky Proffitt was also named food service director for the 2014-2015 school year.

The board also approved awarding a high school diploma to David Charles Briggs, who left school on a hardship to join the U.S. Army, but later earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Indiana University. He was a teacher for more than 30 years.

Ainsworth and Koontz also provided their annual report on the graduating class, noting that the Class of 2014 earned more than $2 million in scholarships and other educational financial assistance over the next four years. Ainsworth noted that 63.7 percent of the class are either seeking a four-year college degree (46.9 percent) or a two-year associate’s degree (16.8 percent). She added that 21 percent of class members have a job, or are looking for one, while 3.5 percent joined the military and 11 percent are undecided on what they want to do.

During his report, Superintendent Ken Amstutz announced that the district would be receiving a $120,000 Early Childhood Expansion Grant for each of the next two years. The district will also be participating in the Race to the Top program for the fifth year, despite not receiving grant money for the program.

The board also approved the following VWES summer intervention staff members: Laura Foster, Judi Smith, Kaitlin Roberts, Jessica Small, Drew Bittner, Brittany Hayden, Janine Warnecke, Lisa Knoch, Shelly Place, Sara Royer, Stephanie Griesdorn, Kim Fleming and Cayla Wise.

Resignations were also accepted from fourth grade teacher Amy Honigford after four years in the district and Betty Holliday, as VWMS boys’ cross country coach, while a one year administrative contract was issued to Dave Froelich as high school administrative assistant.

Kate Finlayson was given a supplemental contract as middle school fall cheerleading coach.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the treasurer’s report, financial statements and amended appropriations.
• Authorized the transfer of $113,804 from the Permanent Improvement Fund to the Classroom Facilities Maintenance Fund as the half-mill equalization payment required by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
• Approved a depository agreement with Van Wert Federal Savings Bank from May 26, 2014, to May 26, 2019.
• Acknowledged the following donations: $1,980.72 from the Douglas Welker Golf Scholarship Fund to the high school golf program; and $2,500 from Iberdrola Renewables Holdings Inc. to elementary classroom supplies.

The next regular meeting of the Van Wert City Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.