By Betsi Werling

The Bluffton Board of Education met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting included monthly business and reports as well as a special presentation by teachers from the elementary school.

Mary Glick, Teri Steinmetz and Joanna Gratz presented a new incentive program for the elementary called “Be A Pirate.” This program replaces “The Caught being good” program. Each month, a different letter from the word Pirate will be used: Perseverence, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Thoughtful and Excellence. In September the word was Respect. The teachers created videos on topics such as 

• Look someone in the eye when talking
• Follow classroom and school rules
• Be polite and listen to others’ ideas

These videos are shown throughout the Elementary school to reinforce the behavior students should strive for. Be a Pirate has drawings and prizes, and the hope is that students will work to make the entire environment of the Elementary school better.

CONTRACTS, ASSIGNMENTS, RESIGNATIONS
Middle School teacher Robin Ault's retirement was announced. Robin has taught in Bluffton schools for over 30 years. The Board approved supplemental contracts and the hiring of a substitute custodian, secretary and teachers. 

DONATION
A donation of  $22,275 was made by Patricia and Harlen Basinger, who have made prior donations to the schools. This gift is earmarked for the student groups that typically perform at the Senior Citizens Breakfast. 

APOLLO
Mr. Scoles reported that the 411 Info Blast will take place on November 19 at Apollo. Enrollment for Apollo is in the spring, but the school is providing earlier opportunities to encourage students to consider Apollo.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Doug Westrick, Middle School Principal, shared that the 6th graders toured GROB Systems Inc. and learned about future opportunities. 7th graders went to Bluffton University’s Moyer Center and did some activities. This replaced an overnight trip. 

Mike Mining, High School Principal, reported that Makerfest was helpful to students exploring different career opportunities. ACT prep meetings are taking place on Sunday and Wednesday evenings to help prepare students for the December test. The American Legion will be coming in to give Citizenship tests. Students have an opportunity to move on to a competition.

Mrs. Kori Bernal, Elementary Principal, reported that this week the 3rd grade would have a promotion test. A Dental clinic will be offered on October 24, 2025. She shared that Trevor Bassitt did a great job with last week’s assembly. The elementary will continue with a Classroom Champion program that was begun last year. Bassitt has agreed to adopt a classroom this year.

Mike Wilson, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor, reported that seed and top dressing on the football field has taken place while there have been no games and the field is looking good. 

Courtney Morris, Technology Coordinator, reported that the Amazon server failure affected some applications for part of the day. Sixth graders have just finished coding and are moving into graphic design. Eighth graders are creating trading cards with the goal of printing them. Seventh graders finished a unit on cybersecurity. 

Superintendent Greg Denecker anticipated that more information would come out explaining the status of funding for public education. An email was sent by local superintendents explaining that due to state funding cuts, local funding is needed. This impacts what residents pay in property taxes. School funding is more reliant on local funding with state funding now at only 34% for schools. 

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be November 19, 2025 at 5 p.m. in the Bluffton Elementary Media Center.