VWCS board approves new park pact

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Van Wert City Board of Education approved a new agreement for the Franklin Park project, heard a presentation from the Van Wert High School Robotics Team and also accepted the resignations of several longtime district employees.

Following a presentation on the updated Franklin Park project by Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer and Seth Baker, executive secretary of The Van Wert County Foundation, city school board members rescinded an old memorandum of understanding on the park and unanimously approved a new memorandum that includes the foundation.

Under the new agreement, the foundation, which is now providing half of the funding for the park project — with philanthropist Scott Niswonger pledging up to $500,000 for the other half — would take control of the property until construction is completed. The park would then be turned over to the city, which would maintain the property.

During the educational impact portion of the meeting, 13 members of the Van Wert High School Robotics Team, along with advisors/coaches Bob Spath and Zane McElroy, were on hand to show off their two new robots, as well as talk about progress of the team and plans for a robotics competition to be held at the school early next year.

Also on Wednesday, the board accepted the resignations of several longtime employees. Those include Kim Clifton, middle school-high school health and physical education teacher, after 35 years with the district; Mark Collins, elementary guidance counselor, after 36 years in education, 24 with VWCS; Anna Dunlap. Early Childhood Center paraprofessional, after nine years with the district; Kathy Fleming, fourth grade teacher, after 27 years in education, 23 of those with VWCS; Paula LaRue, middle school-high school librarian, after 32 years with VWCS; and Mary Martz, elementary librarian, after 35 years with the district.

The board also accepted the resignation of Jeff Hood from his supplemental position as varsity golf coach.

After some discussion, board members also set 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2015, as the date for the board reorganizational meeting and selected Debbie Compton as president pro tempore for that meeting.

In other action, the board:

• Accepted the following donations: Eaton Corporation, $275 for the Cougar Mentor Team and Junior Beta Club; Van Wert County Hospital, $500 for the elementary wellness program; Van Wert Middle School Renaissance Program – Roger and Kay Okuley, $100; Greif Brothers, $200; Home Health Care Solutions Ltd., $50; AMA Material Supply Inc., $100; Purmort Brothers Insurance, $100; Van Wert Federal Savings Bank, $100; H.J. Thatcher Insurance Agency Inc., $100; Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, $100; Tawindra Petroleum Inc., $100; Straightline Bod & Paint Inc., $50; and Cowan Funeral Home, $150.