By Betsi Werling

The Bluffton Board of Education monthly meeting took place on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the elementary school media center.

Paula Parish administered the Oath of Office to the three board members beginning new terms: Roni Kaufman, Wes Klinger and Brad Dailey. 

BOARD MEMBER ASSIGNMENTS
The board elected officers for the 2026 calendar year: Roni Kaufman, President and Alice Basinger, Vice President.

The Board approved the Standing Authorizations for the Treasurer and Superintendent. These authorizations give Paula Parish, Treasurer and Greg Denecker, Superintendent, authorization to represent the district on various local boards. 

Board representation for 2026 was approved as follows: 

Brad Dailey will be the official delegate to the 2026 Ohio School Board Conference. Jeremy Scoles will be the alternate delegate to the 2026 School Board Conference. 

Wes Klinger will serve as legislative liaison for the Ohio School Board Associaon for the 2026 calendar year. 

Alice Basinger will serve as student liaison for the 2026 calendar year. 

Julie Steiner will be the Board’s designee to represent Bluffton Exempted Village Board of Education at the House Bill 9 Public Records Training Seminar. 

2026 MEETING SCHEDULE
Regular meeting dates were approved by the Board as follows. All begin at 5:30 p.m., are on Mondays and are subject to change: 

All meetings will be in the Bluffton Elementary School Media Center/Library.

CONTRACTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Jackie Bourassa and Lacie Fenstermaker were approved as substitute teachers. 

PUBLIC LIBRARY TAX LEVY
The second and final reading for the Bluffton Public Library to request a one-mil tax levy to be put onto the ballot in May was approved.

In 2006 and 2016, similar levies passed for periods of 10 years. This levy allows the library to continue the same level of services for the community. This request comes to the Board of Education as the appointing and taxing authority for the Bluffton Public Library.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM BLEACHERS
A resolution accepting a bid from Farnham Equipment Company in the amount of $117,000.00 to install new bleachers in the Middle School Gymnasium was presented. The bleachers are over 30 years old. The new bleachers will be similar to what is currently in the High School Gym. The vote passed with one no by Jeremy Scoles. 

The Bluffton Community Assistance provided a $375.00 donation for Lunchroom fees. The Board approved the donation and will send a letter of appreciation. 

APOLLO REPORT 
As of December 1, there have been 563 applications submitted for enrollment at the Apollo Career Center for the next academic year. Apollo is hosting the SkillsUSA Competition. This competition allows students to be named best in their fields with the potential to go on to a national competition. 

Scoles shared the following accolades for students who were in the top three in their programs in an Apollo skills competition.

• Charlotte Burkholder received 2nd Place in Sports and Exercise Science
• Keith Hohenbrink received 1st Place, Carpentry Competition Test
• Joseph Lewandowski received 2nd Place, Electrical Commercial for Seniors
• Dylan Lewis received 1st Place, Electrical Residential for Juniors
• Marshall McDonald received 2nd Place, Building and Renovations Team Works
• Josef Miller received 1st Place, Manual Machinery 
• Owen Scoles received 3rd Place, Electrical Residential for Juniors 
• Madelyn Seeling received 1st Place, Welding-1B 

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 
Middle School Principal Doug Westrick reported that the Honor Breakfast, which recognizes students who are Honor Roll recipients, will take place next week. Also, staff will be working through Core assessment results and how to assist students in challenging areas.

Mike Mining, High School Principal, reported that the Red Cross Blood Drive last week was a success. This Wednesday, the Senior Citizen Breakfast will showcase strings students. 

NEXT MEETING
Monday, February 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bluffton Elementary Media Center.