The Ada Board of Education held its October meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19. The meeting included
- Report from Apollo Career Center Superintendent Keith Horner
- Report on a $4K fundraising drive by the Ada United Methodist Church
- Plans to introduce 24 new employees at the November 7 Town & Gown banquet
- Comments on the district’s state report card
ATTENDANCE
All board members were present: Amy Mullins - President, Ron Fleming, Matt Gossman, Ted Griffith and Steve Ramey. Staff present: Robin VanBuskirk - Superintendent, Kim Light - Treasurer, Dan Lee - High School Principal, Britton Devier - Assistant High School Principal, Jeremy Clark - Elementary School Principal.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The board entered a confidential executive session to consider employment matters, resuming the regular session at 5:12 p.m.
HEARING OF THE PUBLIC
Keith Horner, superintendent of the Apollo Career Center, presented an update to the board.
- There is an Apollo levy on the November 8 ballot, a $416K renewal for the 11 school districts served by the center.
- An industrial technician-mechanics program will be added next year.
- Makerfest, a large multi-county event coordinated with the Allen Economic Development Group will return in September 2023.
- The new HVAC program has 20 students, including one from Ada.
- A 2nd culinary arts instructor has been hired so the center didn’t have to turn any students away.
- The floral program has been retired.
- A new building is being planned with a state grant for $2.5 million; will be used for fire, police, truck driving classes
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Dan Lee, high school principal presented his monthly update
- High School marching band under the direction of Carter Bivens qualified for OMEA State Marching Band Finals
- New social worker Katherine Badertscher is impacting a growing number of kids. Parents don’t have to drive or schedule appointments; some group intervention is being provided.
- Emergency Preparedness is a top priority; students and staff have received ALICE training (active shooter preparedness)
Britton Devier, assistant high school principal and transportation director, reported:
- During national bus safety week the schools emphasized the need for our kids to be safe
- The number of students using the bus has grown and should increase funding
Jeremy Clark, elementary school principal presented his monthly update:
- Heart & Soul provided four pairs of tennis shoes
- September Bulldogs of the Month have been announced
- Kylie Woodruff led the Dig for a Cure fundraiser for the Julie Butterfield family
- The mobile dentist provided care for 41 students with 21 referred for additional treatment
TREASURER’S REPORT
Kim Light, treasurer presented the attached reports which were approved unanimously without discussion.
She noted that September was a three-payday month and that some funds haven’t received their income yet. With grants monies must be spent first in order to be reimbursed.
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Robin VanBuskirk, school district superintendent, presented eight recommendations (A-H) which were approved unanimously without discussion (page 3 of attached packet). They were:
- Retroactive approval of after school teachers,
- Resignation of Tim Garmon, Building, Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor
- Resignation of Michael Lenhart as Assistant Building, Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor, followed by his appointment as supervisor
- Substitute teachers Samantha Sadler, Amy Okuly and Victoria Mason
- Shared services agreement with Kenton Board of Education
- Volunteer bus drivers Joseph Carl, Tyler Craig, Arlene Allison and Scott Allison
- Rescind supplemental assistant swim coach contract with Andrew Robey
- Supplemental contracts with
- Alex Stephenson JV boys basketball coach - $3,633
- Sean Anderson Freshman boys basketball coach - $3,052
- Ken Jochims, 8th grade boys basketball coach - $2,810
- Michael Allen, 7th grade boys basketball coach - $2,713
- Lorna Spar, assistant swim coach - $2,910
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Robin VanBuskirk, school district superintendent, reported:
- Ada First United Methodist Church raised $K for students and the school nurse.
- Student Resource Officer and Hardin County Deputy Sheriff Joey Carl has been
- Pleased with the state report card; proud of the hard work of staff and students.
- Michael Lenhar is stepping in as interim building and grounds supervisor.
- Will introduce 24 new employees at the November 7 Town & Gown banquet, the first since 2019.
NEXT MEETING
6 p.m. on November 17, at the board chambers, 725 W North Ave.
A reorganization meeting was also scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on January 12, 2023
The board of education entered an executive session at 5:36 p.m. to discuss employment with no action expected to follow.
PLANNING SESSION
Following a dinner break, the school board held a planning session with the following agenda:
- Report Card Data / District / Building Goals
- Athletics
- Technology
- Facilities
- Finances: Bond Payoff, PI, ESSER II, ARP ESSER III
- Personnel (executive session)
