Pirate Cart coffee service, MS Overnight School at Camp Berry, Elementary School field trips resume, $8K grant for water bottle fillers 

All board members were present for the September 19 meeting of the Bluffton schools Board of Education. President Larry Hoffman conducted the 7:30 p.m. meeting in the media center of Bluffton Elementary School.

INVOLVEMENT OF VISITORS
Several parents were in attendance to see the introduction of the Pirate Cart, a small business-style project being operated by students Nathan Taylor and Aiden Koontz. The Pirate Cart sells coffee and treats on Thursdays. The students are supervised by High School Intervention Specialist Emily Spallinger and classroom aide Cindy Prowant. The board and guests were treated to coffee, water and homemade marshmallow candies.

BEA/BOE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
The board approved a memorandum of agreement to add Middle School baseball and softball coaching positions.

CONTRACTS, ASSIGNMENTS, ETC.

The board approved:

• Classified contracts with Sharlene Anderson and Leslie Liberator, Educational Aides to assist students with English studies
• Substitute Educational Aides Vicki Kirkendall and Holly Bertka
• Substitute Cafeteria Worker Vicki Kirkendall
• Substitute Custodian Vick Kirkendall
• Substitute Teachers: Phillis Henderson, Maria-Elena Williams, Marissa Snyder, Marissa Owen, Laura Ayers, Bethany Smith, Karen Reidenbach-Dew, Rick Shields, Sara Boeker, Heidi Fuller, Christina Holloway, Ruth Shelby, Jennifer Triplehorn, Randy Prichard, Ruby Estes, Neil Pauff, Callie Carter
• Supplemental Contracs: High School Student Senate, Julie Oberly; Head High School Track, Jason Diller; Head High School Baseball, Kasey Krendl; Head High School Softball, Brad Prater; Head High School Boys Tennis, Dave Roby; Volunteer High School Softball Assistant, Jon Inniger.

OVERNIGHT TRIP
The board approved a 7th grade Overnight School trip to Camp Berry from October 19-21, 2022.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Mike Minnig, High School Principal, reported:

• Paid ACT prep class sign up has begun; mostly juniors; a brief free refresher with Mr. Rackley will be available later; test is in December
• First Senior Citizens Breakfast featured the marching band
• Alumni Band Night attracted 50 participants
• Drama tryouts for November play
• Golf and tennis sectionals coming up
• Yearbooks are in
• Can drive begins September 23

Mike Wilson, Maintenance Supervisor, reported:

• Summer projects wrapped up on time
• Overseeding sports fields

Mardy Herr, Technical Director, reported:

• Some elementary school smart boards are failing
• Ordering parts for WiFi access points
• Working to correct some individual accout erros in Meals Plus

Josh Kaufmann, Middle School Principal, reported:

• Teachers are "diving in" to see what learning loss occurred as a result of the pandemic
• Career clusters program showing 6-8th grade students what careers are out there; will bring in businesses and take students to businesses
• DC trip is being planned; costs look lower than some past trips
• Smooth start to transportation; over 500 riders and fuller buses.
• House program will use the HousePoint app.
• Julie Moore hired as Allen County wellness coordinator

Greg Denecker, Superintendent, reported:

• Receiving $8K EPA grant for water bottle fillers; one of 94 districts; Mike Wilson will be installing
• Receiving safety grant from Ohio Dept. of Education safety center; will see how much
• New guidance counselor at the elementary school, Missy Smith, is able to serve students who need counseling
• Elementary School Principal Ben Thiel was unable to attend the meeting; reported on his behalf that field trips to Suter's, Schumacher Homestead, and Lima Symphony Orchestra will resume

The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 17