BLOOMDALE – The Elmwood Local Schools Board of Education took several personnel actions at its June meeting.
The board accepted the resignations of Molly Elgin, elementary aide, effective June 1, and Audra Benschoter, high school guidance secretary, effective June 9.
The board accepted the retirements of bus driver Tim Dussel, effective Aug. 1, and custodian Perry Hamman, effective Sept. 1.
The board also recognized a number of staff members who retired earlier this year, including Spanish teacher Jill Davis, cafeteria worker Sarah Gonyer, bus driver Becky Dibling, student aide LeeAnn Smith, high school English teacher Sandy Brunswick, and custodian Dawn Hamman.
A one-year contract was given to Tyler Rosendale for elementary physical education.
The board hired Matthew Malecha as head baseball coach.
There were three applicants to replace Derek Meyer.
Malecha has been head coach at Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic High School and before that was at Otsego Local Schools.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Heard an update from the district’s guidance counselors on the percentage of their time is spent directly with students and with testing.
• Learned an architect will be hired to get a thorough picture of the needs of the track, which is deteriorating.
“We want to give you solid, reliable options for the track,” said Superintendent Tony Borton.
Board member Debbie Reynolds suggested asking Local 18, which has a training center on Cygnet Road, to do the work.
Borton said the work is very specialized, but the trainees may be able to do demolition. The track is roughly 12 years old.
• Approved the transfer of $291,000 into the termination benefits fund.
There are 32 staff members plus three administrators at or above retirement years, said Treasurer Jenalee Niese.
Those pending retirements, which each getting a single payment of almost $30,000, is the reason to build this fund up this much, she said.
• Approved property/fleet/liability insurance through the Ohio School Plan from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2026, at a rate of $58,600, which was more than $25,000 less than the previous provider.
• Approved fifth grade camp at Heartland Outdoor Environmental School in Marengo from Aug. 17-19, 2024.
• Accepted donations of 22 boxes of lab wipes from Berry Global for the high school science departments; $5,758.54 from the athletic boosters for weight room demolition and reconfiguration of racks; and $7,000 from the NWO Basketball Program for boys basketball.
• Scheduled a special meeting on June 29 to close the financial books. The board’s next regular meeting is July 10.
