Crestview bd. hears construction update

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent writer

CONVOY — Progress continues on Crestview’s classroom addition project and the district’s new Early Childhood Center.

During her monthly report to the Crestview Local Board of Education on Monday, Superintendent Kathy Mollenkopf said masons are returning to work on three interiors walls and she told the board door frames are in place. An extra electrician has been brought in to help with wiring the addition, and Mollenkopf said the project remains on schedule and should be completed on time.

As far as the ECC, she noted roofing work is slightly behind schedule at the former Vancrest facility.

“It’s weather impacted,” Mollenkopf explained to the board. “If the weather’s warm enough it’s too muddy to move the big machine there and the other piece of it is if it’s cold enough then it’s too slick up there.”

“It’s really beginning to look like a school building and that’s exciting,” Mollenkopf also said. “We are moving along and we are progressing and it’s amazing to see.”

Mollenkopf presented board members with certificates of appreciation and read aloud a proclamation as part of the Ohio School Board Association’s School Board Recognition Month.

“I encourage all citizens of the Crestview community to publicly thank John Auld, Lori Bittner, Andy Perrott, Nan Grace, and Brad Perrott for their service as members of our Board of Education,” Mollenkopf said.
“They epitomize our school district motto of tradition invested future.”

In other business, the board joined other boards of education locally and around the state in passing a resolution voicing opposition to the State of Ohio EdChoice Scholarship (voucher) Program.

Board members heard a brief presentation from Crestview Director of Technology Shane Leeth and Middle School Principal Trent Kreischer about virtual technology, and the board received a hands-on demonstration by using virtual reality headsets to view several different settings, including Sydney, Australia. The two explained to the board that the headset allow students to learn and take in information in a different way.

The board also renewed membership in OSBA and accepted a $13,333.33 donation from the Mary Marxen Scholarship Fund for music curriculum, plus an identical amount from the Norman Marxen Scholarship Fund for science curriculum.

Board members learned that Braxton Leeth was the sixth grade spelling bee champion, while Chloe Nelson was the runner-up. Michaele Debbe was the seventh grade champion and Kortni Stemm was the runner-up, while Brady Petrie and Levi Ludwig were the eighth grade champion and runner-up respectively. Petrie was the overall champion, and all grade level winners will compete in the County Spelling Bee at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 3, at the Marsh Foundation in Van Wert.

During the annual organizational meeting, Auld, Andy Perrott and Brad Perrott were sworn into to new four-year terms. Auld was re-elected as board president and Bittner was elected as vice-president.

The board also set meeting dates and times for 2020, with the majority of meetings taking place at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.

The next meeting of the Crestivew Local Schools Board of Education will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 17, in the administrative office.