By Betsi Werling

The Bluffton Board of Education held their monthly meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19 in the Elementary School Media Center.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Visitor Julia Knowlton, a Bluffton sixth grader, made a presentation to the Board on reasons the Middle School Library is missed. She shared options for the Tech Center to be housed elsewhere, allowing for the return of the library. Mr. Denecker responded with rationale for the current set up and shared that at the end of the year, they will review to see if changes should occur.

A Leo Club presentation was given by Claire Phillips, Avery Ulrey, Lillian Dagani, Nora Matthews and advisors Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Lee. The Club is a subset of the Bluffton Lions. The group began with 36 official Leos and now there are 53 members on the roster. 

The Leo Club has held many activities throughout the year including the donation of tie blankets to the Hope House in Findlay, a restock of the Bluffton Food Pantry and the first Leo Club 5K, which raised $1K and had 250 participants. Other outreach with the community was working concessions for 4th-5th grade basketball games, face painting and handing out stickers at a high school basketball games and helping to clean up Riley Creek.

CONTRACTS, ASSIGNMENTS
The retirement of band teacher David Sycks was announced. After 30+ years of service, he will retire at the end of the academic year.

Two student teaching assignments were made: Lacie Fenstermaker will work with Barbara Maag and Ashley Kloeke will work with Rachel Diller. Both students are from Bluffton University. The Board approved a memorandum of agreement for an Assistant Bowling Coach.

The Board approved Amy Lehman-Mikesell to renew a 7-year term on the Board of Trustees for the Bluffton-Richland Public Library. 

ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The 2026-2027 academic year calendar was approved by the Board. The first day of classes will be August 31, 2026 and the last day of school will be May 28, 2027. Christmas break will be two full weeks; other holiday breaks are similar to the current academic year. The Board also approved to continue open enrollment for 2026-2027. Mr Denecker commented that open contributes to steady enrollment numbers. 

NEW BUS APPROVED
A resolution was approved to accept a bid from Cardinal Bus Sales and Service in the amount of $142,897 for the purchase of a new 84-passenger bus. The bus should be delivered to the district in February.

APOLLO CAREER CENTER
In his Apollo report, Mr. Scoles said the 411 Info Blast was held with 48 sophomores attending. This event allows students to see all programs available at Apollo. Two student groups at Apollo are gaining real world experiences. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce recently toured Apollo as part of a visit to the CIty of Lima. Renovation of the former Dot’s Pet Center building purchased by Apollo is now underway.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
High School Principal Mike Mining reported that 283 students were on the first quarter honor roll and just under 300 made the Renaissance. There will be a College Credit Plus (CCP) presentation for parents and students with representatives from the various colleges. Winter sports have begun and during the Blaze of Lights, the Show Choir and Marching band will perform.

Mike Wilson, Director of Buildings and Grounds, shared that they have winterized all the outbuildings and finished up on all the outside fields. This week, a new rooftop HVAC system was installed. Controls will be installed later this week, allowing temperatures in the building to return to normal levels.

Elementary Principal Kori Bernal reported that all buildings participated in the United Way Penny Drive. Overall, $2K was raised and $1600 of this total came from the Elementary School alone. The top fundraisers were First Grade students, who collected $545. This earned them a pizza party.

Middle School Principal Doug Westrick reported that the school is holding a food drive and a Toys for Tots collection. He thanked Jackie Bourassa for her 37 years of service and shared that she spent her final day chaperoning a Middle School dance.

Superintendent Greg Denecker reported that parent-teacher conferences are on Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25. 

DECEMBER MEETING
The next board meeting will be Monday, December 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. in the Bluffton Elementary Media Center.