L’view given info on new career initiative

KELSEY CLEMONS/independent correspondent

The Lincolnview Local Board of Education learned more about a plan for the new Career Connection Student Center during its April meeting on Wednesday.

Missy McClurg, a teacher at Delphos Jefferson High School, provided information about the center, which is to be built through funding from the Straight A Innovation Grant. McClurg is actually receiving this grant for the second time and will receive a total of approximately $1 million for this project, which was sought through a partnership with Apollo Career Center, and Allen East, Crestview, Elida, Fort Jennings, Lincolnview, and Pandora-Gilboa school districts.

The center would use modular career pods that would allow students to work in a collaborative workstation on one of 45 currently offered careers. The pods would not only provide information about selected careers, but would also allow students to apply job skills for three different tasks actually required of them in a chosen career.

During these sessions, students’ progress would be recorded by Ohio Means Jobs and saved in their “backpack” to be reviewed at a later time. Saving progress provides the opportunity to see how students progress years down the road in their areas of interest.

The CCSC will be available to students in grades 7-12, with the goal to begin in the second semester of the 2016-17 school year. More information about the project, including contact information and frequently asked questions, can be found on the following website: www.delphosccsc.org.

Also Wednesday, Elementary Principal Nita McKinney reported to the board about the success of the PTO fundraiser and carnival. McKinney mentioned that the profit for the night was approximately $5,000, exceeding the previous year’s $4,300.

The principal thanked parents, teachers, students, donors, and everyone who helped and was involved in making the event a huge success.

McKinney also noted that kindergarten screening has begun, with 65 students completed and ready for the upcoming school year and two or three left to go.

High School Principal Brad Mendenhall also spoke about state testing that took place during the week. Mendenhall mentioned the terrific turnout of students who took their tests, noting that, out of 280 students in line to be tested, 279 students were present and took the tests.

Congratulations were also given to the high school choir for being asked to sing “The National Anthem” at a TinCaps baseball game in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mendenhall also wished the choir good luck as it competes at state contest.

Superintendent Jeffrey Snyder recognized the Middle Point Lions Club for hosting its 47th annual chicken dinner fundraiser, to take place from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24, in the cafeteria. The club has been a generous donor for Lincolnview scholarships over the course of its existence.

Snyder also talked about great the Lincolnview production of Ghost the Musical was as it concluded its last show this past Sunday. The board also provided a special thanks to those involved in making the show so outstanding.

Personnel action approved by the board included the hiring of Shane Hale as athletic fields groundskeeper on a part-time, as-needed basis for the 2016-2017 school year. The board also approved Seth Wisener as a volunteer junior high assistant track coach, while Emlyn Biberstine was also hired as a substitute cook for the remainder of the current school year.

Several resignations were accepted by the board, as follows: Katrina Beining, cook; Jessica Wischmeyer, third grade teacher after three years; Brock Homier, elementary special education teacher after one year; and Curtis Miller, head varsity wrestling coach after 11 years.

In other action, the board:

Accepted, with thanks, a $500 donation from the Van Wert County Foundation on behalf of Amvets Post 698 in Middle Point to be awarded as a scholarship as specified in the donor letter. The board thanked the post for its generous donation.

In other action, the board also:

• Approved a trip by the high school band to the High School Marching Band Camp at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, to take place July 21-25 under the supervision of director Anna Baker and parent chaperones.
• Approved an Internet service provider contract with the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative for the period from July 1 to June 30, 2021.

The following meeting for the Lincolnview Local Board of Education is scheduled to take place Monday, May 16, at 8 p.m. in the Neubrecht Lecture Hall.