Written by Betsy Verling
The Bluffton Exempt Village School Board of Education met on April 15 to consider action items, including preparation for the 2024-2025 school year. These items focused on tuition, faculty contracts and assignments, along with handbook updates. An administrative report was heard and a newly created technology cart for the podcast was demonstrated.
Human resource allocation for 2024-2025
Superintendent Greg Denecker introduced Jared Breese, who will be the high school social studies teacher. Breece taught at Pandora and Gilboa schools and graduated from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Bluffton High School graduate Stephanie McMahon will be a master's degree math teacher. She recently taught at Allen East and also serves as the swimming coach. Aubrey Yim will be a 7th grade math teacher. She is from Ottawa and also graduated from BGSU.
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Megan Morris was introduced as the new high school administrative assistant. Alison King will replace Mary Hoffer as administrative assistant in the Instruction and Athletic Department. And the elementary school will welcome Julie O'Barry, who is currently the administrative assistant at the high school, to replace Teresa Marquardt. Both Hoffer and Marquardt plan to retire at the end of this year.
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Board member Jeremy Scholes reported on Apollopalooza, the Apollo Career Center's open house. The drawing and prize included an all-expenses-paid trip to one of his Disney parks as the grand prize. Mr. Scholes reported that Apollo recently purchased property from Dot Pet Supply and may offer truck driving classes at the location.
Maintenance Supervisor Mike Wilson reported that his crews got off to a good start with landscaping and maintaining outdoor facilities before the recent storm. Only minor flooding and minor debris occurred at Harmon Field.
Technology Coordinator Courtney Morris reported that she tracks subscriptions for software used by teachers to facilitate updates and renewals. He recently taught Mr. Richards' 8th grade class how to properly use AI and Chat GPT. The middle school will be able to use new wireless cameras to record video in three different locations. Mr. Morris also announced a new portable podcasting cart built by his students and used in a recent middle school house competition.
Bluffton Elementary School Principal Ben Thiel reported that state testing began this week and will continue over the next three weeks. Thiel reported that science night on April 5th was well attended. Spring field trips have begun, including a trip to Johnny Appleseed MacLean Teddy Bear Park in Lima.
Middle School Principal Doug Westrick said state testing begins Tuesday. In preparation, all Chromebooks have been updated. Mr. Westrich shared that the middle school band performed well in a recent competition, earning an excellent rating and an excellent rating.
High School Principal Mike Minig reported that the high school is in the middle of a three-week state exam. He noted that 229 high school students were named to the honor roll in the past quarter. Sixty students took part in the musical Elf last weekend, achieving an “amazing” attendance rate. Prom and after-prom events will be held at Bluffton University this Saturday, April 20th.
