L’view board recognizes retiring staff

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education met Tuesday and heard a student presentation on the school Rachel’s Challenge program, as well as recognized several retiring staff members.

Guidance counselor Tonia Verville and several students spoke to the board about a Rachel’s Challenge project that several Lincolnview students took part in to carry on the memory and words of Rachel Scott, the first victim killed in the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Rachel’s Challenge is an organization started by Scott’s dad and stepmom after they realized the impact Rachel’s words had on so many people. The idea stemmed from an essay she wrote entitled My Ethics, My Codes of Life that touched so many people. The Lincolnview students involved with this project have worked very hard and passionately to making a difference, Verville said, noting that the club started raising money to eventually buy a “Buddy Bench” that is playground-acceptable. The hope is to use this bench to allow kids who do not have anyone to play with to be able to make friends. The group has collected about half of the money required for purchasing this bench at around $240 raised and a very generous donation of $100 from House of Style given at the meeting.

The board recognized several retiring staff members, as follows: John Bigelow, 20 years of service; Tom Bryant, 35 years of service; Donna Coil, 23 years of service; Patti Cox, 37 years of service; Karen Kemler, 28 years of service; Gary Nolan, 31 years of service; Ellen Waterman, 34 years of service; Keith Allen (DARE officer), many years of service.

Treasurer Troy Bowersock updated the board on a newer online way for parents to make payments and pay for their students’ lunches. Bowersock noted there is a link on the Lincolnview website so payments may be made either by ACH or credit card. The treasurer said he hoped that next year workbook fees could also be paid through this feature.

Superintendent Jeff Snyder reported to the board of a new service called Navigate that will help identify location of fire extinguishers, electrical boxes, and more for police and firefighters in the event of a crisis. This will be able to be used on a cell phone for immediate location. Currently there are three safety drills, nine fire drills, and four tornado drills that take place yearly.

Snyder also reported the excellent outcome from Lincolnview’s coin collection for the Salvation Army. The high school and middle school raised $1,000.02 and the elementary school raised $1,256.79, for an impressive total of $2,256.81. Between the three schools in the district, nearly $6,000 was raised for the Salvation Army.

The board also approved a number of personnel contracts during the meeting.

A one-year limited contract was given to Lindsey Grilliot. Two-year limited contracts were awarded to the following: Jill Cockerell, Jonathan Crusie, Tonja Debell, Eric Fishpaw, Kristen Harden, Michelle Knodel, Stephanie Kriegel, Ashley Meyer, Brian Niemeyer, Amy Overholt, W. McKaine Quatman, Krista Seibert, Kirstie Schroeder, and Jessica Wischmeyer. Three-year limited contracts were given to Stacie Korte and Tonia Verville, while Anna Baker was given a continuing contract.

The board also approved the following administrative staff contracts for the 2015-2016 school year:

One-year administrative contract to Brenda Eickholt, while three-year administrative contracts went to Eric Miglin and Fred Fisher, and a four-year administrative contract to Nita McKinney.

Classified staff contracts were also approved by the board as follows: One-year limited contracts were given to Denise Cramer as a bus driver and teacher’s aide and Tom Lee as a custodian. A two-year limited contract was also given to Teresa Dunlap as a part-time cook. Continuing contracts were given to both Amy Dunlap as part-time cook and Shawn Fickert as a cook.

The following supplemental contracts were also approved by the board: Brett Hammons, boys’ head basketball coach; Dan Williamson, girls’ head basketball coach; Jonathan Crusie, girls’ junior varsity basketball coach; Ashley Meyer, girls’ eighth grade basketball coach; Eric Fishpaw, head baseball coach; Matt Langdon, head track coach; Sandra Dowdy, junior high track coach; Brad Doidge, girls’ golf coach; Matt Langdon, head cross country coach; Anna Baker, high school instrumental; Chad Kraner, class play director; Kristy Ringwald, class yearbook; Kinsey Dobbelaere, high school sets; Michelle Knodell/Deb Stetler, school newspaper; Kristen Harden, National Honor Society advisor; Chris Doner, Spanish Club advisor; Ashley Meyer, Sophomore Class advisor; Kevin Losh, Freshman Class advisor; Jay Hoersten, Industrial Tech advisor; Krista Seibert, FFA advisor; Deb Stetler, Scholastic Bowl team advisor; Stacie Korte, Swing Choir director; Stacie Korte, Drama Club advisor; Krista Seibert, Young Farmers advisor; Kevin Losh, Adam Owens, Malinda Shellabarger and Stacie Korte, Saturday School teachers.

Personal service contracts were also approved for the following: Larry Clark, boys’ assistant basketball coach; Andy Breese, boys’ junior varsity basketball coach; Daryl Dowdy, boys’ freshman basketball coach; Zach Profit, boys’ eighth grade basketball coach; Allen Arnold, girls’ assistant basketball coach; Jeremy Ebel, junior high baseball coach; JaNahn Evans, head volleyball coach; Tracy Keber, assistant volleyball coach; Kylie Snyder, seventh grade volleyball coach; Morgan Hicks, eighth grade volleyball coach; Ben Cowan, boys’ track coach; Curt Miller, girls’ track coach; Alison Hammons, junior high track coach; Curt Miller, head wrestling coach; Steve Pardon, assistant wresting coach; Greg Hinegardner, junior high wrestling coach; Daryl Dowdy, head boys’ golf coach; Trina Langdon, girls’ cross country coach; Ben Cowan, junior high cross country coach; Dianna Ashbaugh, public relations coordinator; Denise Cramer, Ohio Reads coordinator.