Board of Education meeting preview, January 11
New 5-year contract for superintendent
By Paula Scott
At 7:30 p.m. on January 11, the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education will meet for a re-organization and regular meeting. Board meetings are held in the Elementary Media Center, 102 S. Jackson St.
The organizational meeting agenda gives a partial view of the duties of the school treasurer and superintendent based on the permissions granted to them by the school board.
In regular business, the board will be asked to approve a new 5-year contract for Superintendent Greg Denecker and the reappointment of Carrie Phillips to a 7-year term as a Bluffton Public Library board member.
A partial list of items on the meeting agenda is below; the full agenda is attached.
ELECTIONS
- Board President
- Board Vice President
STANDING AUTHORIZATIONS
Treasurer be authorized to
- Secure advances from the Auditor when funds are available and payable to the district.
- Borrow monies in anticipation of school foundation and tax receipts, not to exceed authorization given in R.C. 133.30, to meet payable and outstanding obligations as needed.
-Invest inactive funds at the most productive interest rate whenever inactive funds are available.
- Pay all bills within the limits of the appropriations resolution as bills are received and when the merchandise has been received in good condition.
- Have blanket authority to advance from the General Fund as needed to the lunchroom, uniform school supply, and federal funds to prevent deficit balances in these funds.
- Do appropriation modifications as necessary and report to board for final approval.
- Be named Director for Allen County Health Insurance Benefits Council of Governments in absence of superintendent.
- Enroll the Board of Education for membership in the Ohio School Boards Association and OSBA Legal Assistance Fund.
Superintendent to be
- Authorized to employ such temporary personnel, as needed for emergency situations with such employments being presented for approval to the Board at the next meeting.
- Named the purchasing agent for the Bluffton Exempted Village School District.
- Named as the board president’s representative to appoint trustees to the Rhodes State College Board.
- Named Director for Allen County Health Insurance Benefits Council of Governments.
- Duly authorized as representative of the Board of Education to formally accept all resignations.
- The Board of Education’s designee for any student suspension appeal, as provided under board policy: JGD-Student Suspension.
- Authorized to continue the school district’s participation with the Apollo Career Center for the Business Advisory Council.
BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
- Delegate and alternate to the 2023 Ohio School Board Conference.
- Legislative liaison to the Ohio School Board Association.
- Student achievement liaison.
Julie Steiner to be named as the Board’s designee to represent Bluffton Exempted Village Board of Education at the House Bill 9 Public Records Training Seminar.
TREASURER’S RECORDS COMMISSION
The Records Commission, composed of Gregory Denecker, Superintendent and Chairman; Larry Hoffman 2022 Board President, and Paula Parish, Treasurer met at 7:00 p.m. on December 19, 2022 to review the record disposal lists to be disposed, which is ready to be sent to the Ohio Historical Society for their review before disposal.
AGREEMENTS
- Ohio Department of Administrative Cooperative Purchase Program
- TIPS-USA Interlocal Purchasing System.
- Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program
- Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council (EPC)
CONTRACTS
Substitute Teacher at $95.00 per day taught:
Heidi Steiner, Ricky Shaner, Patricia Shaner, Sheima Krezi, Melanie Koenig, Kristy Collins, Kalie Miller, Grace Bell, Chelsey Cloud, Janella Claudill
Bluffton – Richland Public Library Board Appointment:
Carrie Phillips – New 7-year term, January 2023 through December 2029
Administrative Contract:
Greg Denecker, Superintendent, Five Year Contract from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, June 5, 2026
- Stay tuned for Pirate action at OHSSA state track and field coverage
- Ada Icon headlines, June 5
- Wheeler graduates from Ohio Bankers League Bank Leadership Institute
- Ellerbrock awarded Lima Memorial Nursing Alumnae Scholarship
- Pirate speedsters Wright and Miller each advance to 2 state finals
- Golfers, sponsors invited to support American Legion fundraiser
- Letter: Alternatives to Village mosquito fogging
Thursday, June 4, 2026
- Eileen Ruth Garmatter was a homemaker
- Elnore Ruth (Rosenberger) Yost taught at Marimor
- WGTE and WBGU create broadcasting partnership
- ICYMI: May 2026 Bluffton Icon Highlights
- Shoppers' journey with Bluffton Small Business Passport has begun
- Middle and high school student activities at BPL
- Local artist Crumrine to teach Watercolor Workshop at Library
- Lacrosse or La Crosse: Game versus virus
- 2027 Senior Center trip planning, June 11
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
- Cory-Rawson High School honor roll for fourth quarter, 2025-2026
- Bluffton High School 4th Qtr. Honor Roll for 2025-2026
- June 4 Business Collective speed networking event
- K-2 students invited to weekly dinosaur adventures
- Library program explores indigenous agriculture and heirloom seeds
- May 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district
- Register June 18-19-20 garage sales with Bluffton Chamber
- Create a Bike & Flowers painting at BPL
Monday, June 1, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, June 1
- Geraldine "Gerry" Fett was a homemaker
- UPDATED Bluffton gas station employee threatened, suspect arrested May 30
- Maurice “Bill” William Croft, Jr. was a coach and high school teacher
- UPDATE Bluffton pool opening June 1
- What brings you to Bluffton, Ohio in June 2026?
- About free and paid Icon classified ads
- Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster to perform June 12