By Paula Scott

The Bluffton Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, October 19. The meeting was conducted by board president Roni Kaufmann with all members present. Two teacher representatives and two community members were in the audience with the Icon reporter.

TREASURER
There were no financial transactions to approve but a September 2026 Cash Summary Report was provided and is attached.

CONTRACTS, ASSIGNMENTS, & ETC. 

Sean Goodwin has been hired as a bus driver, replacing Steve Hardesty, who has retired.

The board approved supplemental contracts for one academic team advisor and 27 athletic coaches. It was noted that the co-coaches split the associated fees and that volunteer coaches go through all of the same background checks as paid coaches.

Seventeen substitute teacher agreements were approved, listed below.

Supplemental Contracts: 

• Steven Ford - 5th Grade Academic Team Advisor 
• Paul Ginther - Assistant High School Boys Basketball 
• Jared Breece - Assistant High School Boys Basketball 
• James Rucki - Volunteer Assistant High School Boys Basketball 
• Ethan Stearns - Freshman Boys Basketball 
• Wade Ginther - 8th Grade Boys Basketball 
• Xavier Aguirre - Volunteer Assistant 8th Grade Boys Basketball 
• Terron Boblitt - Volunteer Assistant 8th Grade Boys Basketball 
• Carter Hohenbrink - 7th Grade Boys Basketball 
• Scott Schnipke - Volunteer Assistant 7th Grade Boys Basketball 
• William Faine - Assistant High School Girls Basketball 
• Alex Hanna - Assistant High School Girls Basketball 
• Abbie Sautter - Co-Freshman Girls Basketball 
• Kristen Gudakunst - Co-Freshman Girls Basketball 
• Jared Byers - 8th Grade Girls Basketball 
• Marden Herr - 7th Grade Girls Basketball 
• Macy Schaadt - Volunteer 7th Grade Girls Basketball 
• Jeffrey Shadbolt - Assistant Bowling 
• Richard Dukes - Volunteer Assistant Bowling 
• Onalee Shepler - Volunteer Assistant Bowling 
• Garrett Weyer - Co-Assistant High School Wrestling 
• Tyrel Nuzum - Volunteer Assistant High School Wrestling 
• Michael Nuzum - Volunteer Assistant High School Wrestling 
• Clay Atkins - Head Middle School Wrestling 
• Robert Verb - Co-Assistant Swimming 
• Rachel Diller - Co-Assistant Swimming 
• Brad Prater - Head Softball 
• Jason Diller - Head Track 
• Dave Roby - Head Boys Tennis 

Substitute Teachers at $110.00 per day: 

• Luke Ginther
• Cierra Ackerman
• Martin Jacobs
• Brieonna Makley
• Garret Miller
• Michelle Altstaetter
• Todd Gordon
• Elizabeth Dunahay
• Devan Foster
• Brian Schmidt
• Carol Baumgarte
• David Stephenson
• Paris Prichard
• Alexandria Dawdy
• Ella Taylor
• Chloe Poling
• Elainia Cramer 

OCEAN FOCUS FIELD STUDY TRIP
The board approved a June 11-18, 2027 overnight field trip to the Bahamas with teacher Mallory Hefner.

APOLLO CAREER CENTER 
Board member Jeremy Scoles reported on the Apollo Career Center, where 42 Bluffton students are currently enrolled. Next year Apollo will be establishing a school-based health clinic with Mercy Health so that students don't have to leave school for doctor's visits.

SUPERINTENDENT
Superintendent Greg Denecker reported on attending Makerfest in early October with Bluffton students. He noted that it was the biggest Makerfest in memory. Students were able to explore areas of interest with wide-ranging displays "from huge cranes to pig hearts."

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