Lincolnview Bd. discusses office renovation

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer

Possible renovations and additions to Lincolnview Elementary School are being looked at by school officials.

Superintendent Jeff Snyder said during Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting that the topic was discussed during a work session held earlier in the week, and he said the entrance to the elementary school is a focal point of the project.

“The discussion was how can we improve upon that entrance for the safety of our student body and what it would look like — do we create a new entrance, do we use our existing entrance, so we’re working through that process,” Snyder said. “Once you get into the elementary area, we’re looking at a more efficient office area and we may be looking at redoing the whole office, the guidance counselor/principal’s office, conference room, teachers workroom and the area for our school nurse.”

Snyder said potential improvements to benefit elementary special needs students are being considered as well.

More information may be presented at next month’s board meeting, but Snyder did say the project could cost between $1.5 and $2 million.

Snyder also informed the board that Lincolnview will continue to work with the Thomas Edison Center for preschool next year.

During his report to the board, high school Principal Brad Mendenhall told the board that Lincolnview is gearing up for the annual “Rivals United” fundraiser with Crestview that benefits the United Way of Van Wert County. Most of the events will take place the week of February 3.

The board also heard about “Operation Christmas Card”, a community service project by fourth graders. Those students made Christmas cards and delivered them to patients and staff at Van Wert Health who will be there during the holiday. Several fourth graders told the board about the experience and noted they learned a few things while at the hospital.

Board members also heard from several Lincolnview Drama Club members and director Chad Kraner about the November 8 and 9 production of the comedy play Look Who’s Laughing.

Board members gave approval for sixth graders to travel to Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from September 28 to October 2, 2020, and the board approved an agreement with Tri-County Student Driving School for next year.

The board agreed to renew membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Ohio School Boards Association legal assistance fund. Board members also approved the Lincolnview indoor track club and two volunteer coaches — Matt Langdon and Ben Cowan.

Other agenda items approved included accepting a retirement-resignation letter from junior high science teacher Susan Tenhundfield, effective at the end of the current school year; reappointing Michelle Gorman as the board’s representative to the Vantage Career Center Board of Education and the appointment of Lori Snyder as president pro-tem for the organizational meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, January 6, 2020.

Thursday night’s meeting was the final one for board president Kirk Berryman, who served two terms.

“It’s a bittersweet evening,” Berryman said after receiving a plaque marking his time as a board member. “I’ve enjoyed the eight years I’ve been on the board. I’ve enjoyed my time with current people and past board members, and I think we’ve done a great job of being proactive instead of reactive.”

“I think we have some great kids here and we’re doing some great things for them,” Berryman added.

Brad Coil will replace Berryman on the board next month.

The next regular meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 22.