L’view bd. honors basketball team, others

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education honored high school athletics and two exemplary students during its March meeting on Wednesday.

Those attending the meeting included Paige Williamson, who participated in the Knights of Columbus State Free-Throw Shooting Contest, winning the 10-year-old age division by making 23 of 25 free throws. Also at the meeting was sixth-grader Una VanWynsberghe, who was the Lincolnview, Van Wert County, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, regional spelling champion, earning a trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Spelling Bee.

VanWynsberghe is the first person in 15 years from Van Wert or Paulding counties to represent the region at the National Spelling Bee.

The board congratulated both students on their outstanding accomplishments, and wished VanWynsberghe luck at the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

The board also recognized the Lincolnview varsity boys’ basketball team, cheerleaders, and the coaching staff on their runner-up finish in the Division IV State Basketball Tournament in Columbus. In addition to the boys finishing as state runners-up, the cheerleaders also finished as runners-up during their state competition.

Board members not only commended the athletes on their outstanding achievements, but also thanked the entire Lincolnview community for its support.

High School-Junior High School Principal Brad Mendenhall also invited the community to attend a celebration to honor the athletes at 6 p.m. this coming Monday in the high school gym.

Elementary Principal Nita McKinney spoke to the board about the success of Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss Day, which were celebrated by cheese sticks, as well as special appearances by the “Grinch” and “Cat in the Hat.” McKinney thanked Trevor Neate and Derek Youtsey for helping out and wearing costumes for the kids.

McKinney also told the board current kindergarten registration is at an exciting 62 children enrolled.

During his report to the board, Mendenhall also recognized several students who attended the meeting as “Students of the Month”. Mendenhall also informed board members of several speakers who will be coming to the school and giving presentations to students. He also noted that College Credit Plus might undergo several changes in the near future if House Bill 445 is passed.

Superintendent Jeffrey Snyder mentioned a few updates that will take place, including the fact that the girls’ softball field scoreboard will be up as soon as installation can begin. Snyder also spoke about his meeting with the Northwest/West Central Ohio Public School Advocacy Group. Snyder is one of 40 superintendents who work together with legislators as advocates for their districts. The network also discusses the impact of decisions made by legislators. During the meeting, the group created a 17-question survey pertaining to issues directly affecting schools that can be given to legislators at a later time.

A supplemental contract was granted to Kirstie Schroeder for a home tutor, while a personal service contract for a home tutor was also granted to Patti Cox. Karen Kemler was employed as a substitute cook for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year.

In other action, the board also:

• Approved an overnight trip for Lincolnview FFA at state convention in Columbus on May 5-6 under the supervision of Krista Seibert.
• Retroactively approved the Lincolnview boys’ basketball team, cheerleaders, and coaches to attend the Division IV Boys’ Basketball State Tournament in Columbus March 17-19 under the supervision of Brad Mendenhall, Greg Leeth, Brett Hammons, and Danielle Profit.
• Approved the March 18 school cancellation as a designated calamity day for the 2015-2016 school year.

The next meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.