Vantage Bd. OKs buying financial software

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Vantage Board of Education approved the purchase of MUNIS accounting software during its November meeting Thursday evening, while school officials also thanked voters for passing the school’s permanent improvement levy renewal.

“MUNIS will actually make our job easier,” Vantage Treasurer Laura Peters noted, adding that the current financial software is much more time-consuming, while service has been lacking on the software. Peters noted that one facet of the current software was supposed to be switched to a web-based program in 2002, but hasn’t been changed yet.

“It’s a whole new software program,” Peters said, noting that MUNIS will provide a number of accounting features, including payroll, inventory, and benefits, while also providing human resources information.

The Vantage treasurer said start-up costs for the program are $19,000, but noted that per-student fees of $20 could be halved if more school districts come on board. Peters noted that the cost of the new program is also offset by allowing Vantage to do away with some other current financial software programs.

Both Peters and Superintendent Staci Kaufman thanked voters for renewing Vantage’s 0.7-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy. The levy provides funding for purchases of items that are expected to last five years or more, while also providing maintenance money required by the Ohio School Facilities Commission in connection with Vantage’s recent facility project.

The Vantage board also took action to discontinue the Paulding Family Consumer Science and Agriculture satellite program. Paulding Exempted Village Schools plans to continue the programs under its control.

Kaufman said the shortage of ag teachers, coupled with the time needed to administer the satellite program, were the deciding factors in deciding to return the program to Paulding’s control. She added, though, that Paulding was in support of taking the program back.

During his report, Vantage Director Ben Winans talked about a Straight A grant the school is seeking, in conjunction with Van Wert, Crestview, Lincolnview, Wayne Trace, Antwerp, Parkway, and Paulding school districts. The grant would allow the districts to better collaborate and share information, he noted.

Adult Education Director Pete Prichard reported on accreditation activities currently ongoing at Vantage.

Also Thursday, the board accepted the resignation, due to retirement, of cook Genevieve M. Bentz, effective December 31. Haley Phillips was approved as a student banquet worker, while Adam Wehage and Steven Boroff were approved as Police Academy instructors for the Adult Education program.

A donation of 5,705 pounds of steel, valued at $3,423, from Crown Controls Corporation in New Bremen, was also accepted.

The board also named Dave Mosier of The Van Wert independent and Ed Gebert of The Times-Bulletin to the 2015 Ohio School Boards Association’s Media Honor Roll.