Vantage board OKs personnel actions

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education made some last-minute personnel moves prior to the start of school during its August meeting Thursday.

The board accepted the resignation of Assistant Treasurer Lori Gunderman and Automotive Technology instructor Jeffery Duncan, effective July 31, and hired Larry Davis to replace Duncan. Vantage Treasurer Laura Peters said she has been interviewing candidates to replace Gunderman, with a replacement to be hired in the near future.

Superintendent Staci Kaufman said that, with the exception of the assistant treasurer’s position and a part-time cafeteria cashier’s position, all staff positions have been filled for the upcoming school year.

She also talked briefly in her report to the board about a new electricity supply agreement with Constellation NewEnergy Inc. that she said would save the district several thousand dollars annually. The board approved the agreement later in the meeting.

Kaufman also talked about the new signage installed at Vantage touting the “green” features of Vantage’s updated facility.

Other personnel action taken on Thursday include the following: Jeanne Windsor was hired as a teacher assigned to the Paulding Agriculture Satellite program; Linda Bates was appointed as interim superintendent’s secretary to replace Miriam Owens, who is currently on leave; Craig Black and Donna Wheeler were hired as Adult Education instructors on an as-needed, as-scheduled basis, while Annette Klinger was employed as Adult Education secretary.

Mary Ann Falk was issued a supplemental contract as lead teacher at Vantage; while Penny Baucom was hired as a special events worker and Richard McKanna as a second shift custodial/maintenance worker.

Susan Farr, Paulding County Agriculture Satellite instructor, was given two stipends totaling more than $6,500 for work on special agriculture projects.

Board President Lonnie Nedderman was appointed as the board’s delegate to the Ohio School Boards Association’s Capital Conference in November, while Greg Reinhart was named the alternative delegate.

Vantage Director Ben Winans talked about the upcoming new student orientation sessions set for this coming Monday and Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m., while also noting that Vantage would hold an auction to sell outdated machinery, including computers and desks, at 5 p.m. Thursday, August 13, in the bus barn behind the main building.

Friday, August 21, will be the opening day for teachers and other staff, Winans noted, with new students and juniors starting classes on Monday, August 24. All students will be in class on Tuesday, August 25.

Adult Education Director Pete Prichard noted that the new Adult Education brochure was just printed, and commended Vantage Police Academy Director Bruce Showalter and his staff for having a 100-percent pass rate on state exams.

In other action, the Vantage board:

• Waived the district’s 45-day notice and approved Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements with Cooper Hatchery Inc. and Gina Dairy LLC.
• Approved a Community Reinvestment Act tax abatement agreement between the City of Van Wert and Jim Collins/The Edition LLC in Van Wert.
• Increased pay for substitute teachers to $90 per day, per Kaufman’s recommendation.
• Approved a revised job description for the Ohio Technical Center (Adult Education) instructional leader.
• Appointed Health Technology instructors Wendy Baumle and Leigh Carey as emergency school nurse designees for the upcoming school year.
• Accepted the donation of a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup truck valued at $1,700 from Tony L. Joseph of Convoy.
• Approved a revenue sharing agreement with Northwest State Community College for Adult Education for a workforce training program.
• Approved a resolution opposing the process and consequences generated by the Ohio General Assembly pertaining to House Bill 70, related to the restructuring of the Youngstown City School District.
• Approved lunch prices, which have remained stable.
• Approved a substitute teacher list provided by the Western Buckeye Educational Service Center.

The next meeting of the Vantage Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 3, in the district conference room.