Pictured: Heart Healthy Kids Challenge participants Emery Basinger and Lillian Wehrly

By Betsi Werling

The March 17 meeting of the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools Board of Education included a special presentation by elementary school students, supplemental contract approvals and staff reports.

Resolution
The Board approved the 2025 tax year amounts and rates determined by the Budget committee, as attached.

Public Comments
Elementary teacher Ryan Dunlap presented on the Heart Healthy Kids Challenge. The Elementary school raised $8,664.00 and had over 100 participants. Emery Basinger, who is in Mrs Fritsch’s class, was the top fundraiser. Also shown was a video of Lillian Wehrly, who was born with heart challenges. She has applied to be a National Ambassador. Lillian is in First Grade with Mr. Staley. 

Contracts, Assignments and Resignations
New teachers who were hired and will begin in Fall of 2025 are: Amy Gratz, Middle School Art; Kristen White, Middle School Intervention Specialist; and Kathryn Slaughterbeck, third grade.  MORE ▶︎

The following certified employees were approved: Sandra Karhoff is retiring after 31 years as the Middle School Intervention Specialist. Christopher Laue is retiring after 17 years as one of the Elementary custodians. 

Substitute teachers were approved.

The following Supplemental contracts were approved: 

Scott Hoff - Ocean Focus 

Jared Breece - International Club 

Jose Navarro - Head MS Softball Coach 

Tyler Lieurance - Asst MS Softball Coach 

Brayden Rhoad - Volunteer Asst MS Softball Coach 

Nicholas Boyles - Volunteer Asst MS Softball Coach 

Brad Prater - Head HS Softball Coach 

Tyler Smith - Asst HS Softball Coach 

Jon Inniger - Volunteer Asst HS Softball Coach 

Kaitlyn Kirby - Asst HS Softball Coach 

Jacob Kirby - Volunteer Asst HS Softball Coach 

Jason Granger - Head HS Baseball Coach 

Nathaniel DeWeese - Asst HS Baseball Coach 

Kerris Wright - Asst HS Baseball Coach 

Nathan Davis - Head MS Baseball Coach 

Dave Roby - Head HS Boys Tennis Coach

Scott Phillips - Volunteer Asst HS Boys Tennis Coach 

Jason Diller - Head HS Track Coach 

Shawn Ribley - Asst HS Track Coach 

Jeffrey Baker - Asst HS Track Coach 

Nicholas Roby - Asst HS Track Coach 

Lauren Huelsman - Co-Asst HS Track Coach 

Jaime Combs - Co-Asst HS Track Coach 

Keri McCoy - Volunteer HS Track Coach 

William Theisen - Volunteer HS Track Coach 

Rachel Skilliter - Head MS Track Coach 

David Essinger - Asst MS Track Coach 

Angela Crist - Asst MS Track Coach 

Monica Tarplee - Volunteer MS Track Coach 

Board member Roni Kaufman asked Superintendent Greg Denecker about the International Club. Hiroaki Kawamura, PhD and is a professor of Japanese studies. He works at University of Findlay and began his career in 1998. He has helped to make connections for Bluffton and they hope to send a delegation there. 

Agreements
The Board approved to renew its membership with Northwest Ohio Educational Technology Contract. This contract allows for video streaming. The Learn360 Video Streaming costs the district $1644.20 and the total cost for this contract with NWOET and Discovery Education Streaming is $4,254.20. 

The Board approved the Satellite Program Standards and Maintenance Agreement with Apollo Center to create career-technical programs at Bluffton High School for the 2025-2026 school year. Todd Boblitt and Brandi Bogart will lead this initiative. 

The Board approved the Ocean Field Study Trip for High Students to go with Scott Hoff to Florida Keys from June 2 to June 10, 2025. Bluffton will be accompanied by Liberty Benton. 

Reports
Board member Jeremy Scoles provided an Apollo Career Center report. The All Boards meeting on March 20, 2025 will be an open house for the Public Safety Training Building at Apollo. Applications for Apollo this year were up by 166 and overall 800 total applications. Mr Scoles also reported that the Construction students perform labor throughout Lima and some of their projects were cemeteries and they just completed a project for the Lima Allen County Museum. 

Recently, Scoles and Kaufman toured Toledo City Schools to learn about their Magnet programs. One of the programs that they were impressed with is their contract with Delta airlines, which is one of two in the country. Students learn from parts of the aircraft and receive their pilot license. 

Middle School Principal Doug Westrick reported that there is Benchmark testing taking place to see where students are, which will help prepare for state testing. Spring sports have started, so there is a lot of movement with students. The Shark Tank Event where Middle School students pitch business ideas will be held on May 6, 2025 from 9-10 a.m.

Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Mike Wilson reported that winter clean up is taking place and mowing has begun. He shared that there were a few scrimmages even though the weather did not look promising. 

Technology Director Courtnee Morris shared that Bluffton is working with the ESC and a few local schools and have created the Northwest Ohio Vision Advancement program with a grant given to the ESC. The goal of this group is to help students look at careers in Cyber Security. And to consider other technology jobs. He showed a promotional video on this program. 

Elementary Principal Kori Bernal shared that the Dyslexia testing occurred with the Kindergartner students and 96% or higher were the scores for this group of students. There will be a Lion and Lamb field trip with Mrs Bernal accompanying Mrs. Raeburn’s third grade class. Mrs. Bernal also shared that Mrs. Glick was doing some music lessons that coincided with March Madness and the students were thoroughly enjoying this. 

High School Principal Mike Minnig reported that State testing will be coming up for the High School students. He shared that recently some students attended a Home Ownership presentation and won some cool giveaways. The High School is organizing a trip to Bowling Green State University for Sophomores and Juniors to consider attendance. The Spring theatrical production will be Bringing Down the House, April 11-13, 2025. 

Superintendent Greg Denecker reported that the Budget Bill was moving through the House currently and then would go to the Senate. Lobbyists are working hard to make sure schools are supported in this process. The budget is due by June 30, 2025. Greg reminded the Board that 50% of school funding comes from the State, so this is an important matter.