The Wapakoneta City Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. at Wapakoneta High School. The meeting was called to order by President Ron Mertz. Roll call was as follows: Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; Kantner, aye; Mertz, aye; and Frame, aye. Also in attendance were Superintendent, Keith Horner; Treasurer, Susan Rinehart; Business Manager, Don Arnett; staff and administrators; students and parents; community members; and media representatives.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ron Mertz.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RECOGNITION

Aaron Rex, Assistant Principal at the High School, welcomed parents, students, staff, and community members to the Board meeting. He then introduced each student, beginning with Jessica Orchard. He read the nominations from the teachers. The first student was nominated by Mrs. Harmon. Mrs. Harmon said that Jessica is a role model for all Wapak students. She possesses a positive attitude and strives for excellence in everything that she does. She also is very helpful to her classmates in that she is always willing to assist them in understanding a concept. She is Historian of the Spanish Club and is an adult volunteer for the local boy scout troop. Her future plans are to attend Bowling Green State University and the Medical College of Ohio to major in physical therapy. He also congratulated and introduced her parent, Colleen Harrod, stepfather, Dave, and brother, Zach.

Jessica was congratulated by Laura Frame, who handed Jessica a certificate of appreciation, and Board President Ron Mertz handed Jessica a student achievement pin and congratulated her.

The next student to be recognized was Lucas Shaner. Lucas was nominated by Kristi Fisher and Brad Rex. Aaron Rex then quoted Mrs. Fisher, stating Lucas is a model student and a great example of a “good kid.” He gives 100% on all that he does and always adds extra effort to homework and writing assignments. He is polite and respectful and always has a smile on his face. He treats others with respect and is always helpful. Lucas is an excellent example of someone we would like to recognize. Mr. Rex said Lucas is a fantastic student. He is very attentive, listening and taking notes, no matter what is being done in class. He asks questions when needed and is willing to help other students in the class. Lucas has a sincere desire to learn and is truly a pleasure to have in class. He works part-time at McDonald’s and is interested in pursuing law enforcement in his future.

Mr. Rex presented Lucas with a certificate. He recognized Lucas’ parents, Judy and Steve Shaner. Board member, Laura Frame, congratulated Lucas, handed him a certificate of achievement from the Board of Education, and Ron Mertz then handed Lucas a student achievement pin and

congratulated him.

The third student, Kathy Striff, was nominated by Priscilla Elshire. Her mother is Susan Striff. Aaron Rex read that Kathy is one of those students whom you love to have in class. She is always interested in the topic of discussion and participates willingly every day. She is prompt with all of her work and is well organized. She also tries as hard as any student Mrs. Elshire has had in her career. She is just a pleasure to teach. Kathy is involved in softball and basketball and works at Value City Department Store.

Mr. Rex handed Kathy a certificate of achievement from the High School. Laura Frame congratulated and handed Kathy a certificate from the Board of Education, followed by Board President Mr. Mertz’s handing her a student achievement pin.

Aaron Rex then noted that Devon Golden was the fourth student that would have been recognized this evening. However, there was a basketball tournament game, and she will be recognized in April instead.

Board President Ron Mertz congratulated the kids from the Board of Education and said they are all great kids, great students, and great young adults, and the Board is very proud to be able to do student recognition at the Board meetings. He congratulated the parents for doing such a great job with these students.

DIPLOMA TO VIETNAM VETERAN

Acceptance of Vietnam Veteran as Member of the Class of 1971

Kantner moved to accept Ralph Reynolds, Vietnam Veteran, as an official member of the Wapakoneta City Schools Class of 1971 and award him a high school diploma.

Seconded by Sammetinger. Roll call: Kantner, aye; Mertz, aye; Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; and Frame, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Bob Askins came forward and congratulated Ralph. Bob presented him with a diploma. Keith Horner and Ron Mertz congratulated Ralph. This has been a great program for our schools, and Wapakoneta City Schools is very proud to have the privilege to honor war veterans.

Ralph asked if he could speak to the Board for a few minutes, and he was granted time. He noted he would have been in the Class of 1971. He spent 13 years in an orphanage and decided his senior year that he needed to do something for his country and join the U.S. Army. He was a couple of credits short of graduating when he left to defend his country. He did take courses while he was in Vietnam and took his GED test and picked up the rest of the credits. However, due to paper misplacement, they had evidence of his taking the test but could not find the test results. Therefore, at that time he was not able to complete his diploma. He thanked the Board and said this was a very proud moment for him. He presented the Board of Education with a United States flag and told them whenever they need a flag, please contact him and he will make sure they have a flag.

REPORTS FROM THE BOARD

Willie Sammetinger had the following report on Apollo:

He was very pleased that the banquet went well. He was very proud of the attendees, the students, the staff, and community members. It was a great banquet. The food was very good and the meeting was great. Our High School Singsation group was the entertainment. They did a great job, and we are all very proud of our students.

Apollo is temporarily tabling their OSFC program due to the construction restrictions. They have chosen not to accept the OSFC building plan at this time.

Willie had the following Athletic Committee report. Wapakoneta City Schools is just concluding the second sports season, which would be the winter programs. We are just entering into some tournaments, and he wanted to congratulate all the students. We have had boys and girls basketball, swimming, wrestling, cheerleading for those sports, and those kids have done a great job and we are very proud of them.

Dave Copeland reported on Centennial. He wanted to congratulate Centennial for doing a great job on their lock-down in January. He summarized the Fast Facts handout (to be included in the minutes).

Laura Frame reported on Northridge. Third grade students at Northridge and Cridersville are attending the Neil Armstrong Museum. They are getting ready for the third grade achievement tests. The Kiwanis are sponsoring their trip to the Armstrong Museum to study sciences. The fourth grade had a Chocolicious Candy Sale. The proceeds will go to Mercy Unlimited, the RIF program, or the Humane Society. Staff met to share their data folders and that is going well. Laura commented that if you see students selling chocolate Easter bunnies, they are doing that to raise money for their spring activities, so please buy a chocolate bunny from those kids.

Ron Mertz reported on Cridersville. This coming Thursday is Family Science Night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and also there will be sandwiches, etc. (copy of brochure included in minutes). Ron encouraged families and Board members to attend that.

REPORTS TO THE BOARD

The department heads reported to the Board. The following department heads were present for the meeting:

Math (Darrell Heintz) – He discussed the department heads’ responsibilities and some of the programs they have been using this year, including Study Island, which has been very successful for the students. They can go on Internet and practice problems, etc. He noted that they have been analyzing the Ohio Graduation Tests and they are using that data to make instructional decisions. It has been a very good tool to pinpoint areas of concern.

English (Diane Dillman Elshire) – She commented that their department is also responsible for the same things as the math department. She also wanted to add a few other items that they do which Darrell didn’t mention. The department is responsible for determining workbooks and textbooks and getting those orders into the secretaries. The English department creates a list of novels by grade level. They check in all those, number them, and stamp them. She also handed out a “Lost in the Crowd” pamphlet which talks about the type of work and time involved with being an English teacher.

Science (Kathy Valenti) – She is responsible for coordinating the teachers and working with students that have not yet passed the science portions of their tests. She also coordinates the middle school and elementary equipment, instead of everyone’s buying duplicates of the same equipment. They have implemented an equipment sharing program. They schedule the use of equipment by the middle school and elementaries. She was very excited to say they have high school teachers participating in the Cridersville science night. They also have been invited to participate in Centennial’s, and they are very excited about that. She talked about the biology textbooks, inventory they are responsible for, consolidating and changing course catalog information, and disseminating information to the members of the science department.

Social Studies (Daryl Jones) – Daryl also commented that besides all the area that the previous department heads mentioned, they also organize and lead routine departmental meetings. They cooperate with the other chairs. They are the communication hub for the teachers in their department. They coordinate cooperation with the principals and director of instruction. They coordinate resources. He mentioned that OGT is very time-consuming due to the assessments, and they set the direction after analyzing the tests. The department heads have a very important role in the quality of instruction that goes on in the instructional process at the high school. He said the work load of teachers has increased annually, especially with the OGT test, and the department heads are a wise investment for the Board of Education. He feels they are well worth the money the Board spends for those positions.

Ron Mertz then thanked all the department heads for taking the time to come to the Board meeting this evening and presenting a synopsis of their responsibilities as a department chair. He said the Board is continually trying to improve programs. They want to listen to teachers and find out what is happening. This is the best tool they have for doing that.

Next, Keith Horner reiterated that the state drives course contents. We determine how to teach the content areas. Dave Copeland then stated that the Board just wanted to know what department heads do, how things are going, and they want their input. It helps the Board make decisions when the staff communicates with the Board, and again, this was a good method for doing that. He did have a few questions. When we teach a child, are we teaching them just to pass the test or how are we approaching it? Are we just teaching them answers? Do they understand the problems and the concepts? The department heads’ response was that, for instance, we teach science and we teach the kids how to think, but we also have to teach them how to take the test, because the structure of the test can be confusing to the students so you have to work with them on how to take a test.

They also noted that initially there was resistance from some of their colleagues, but once they started working with this, they realized it benefits the students. It also makes the teachers’ jobs easier when they use common assessments.

The next question from the Board was do department heads help determine how grades are taken as far as number of possible grades per grading period? How much academic freedom is there? The response from the English department was that there is an academic freedom clause in the WEA contract. Therefore, the teachers have freedom in this area.

Aaron Rex commented that new teachers can go to department heads for questions or for brainstorming. The department heads’ experience helps the new teachers. They can guide them. They can explain common assessments, etc., to them, so the department heads play an important role in the structure of the high school.

Laura Frame had a question. She said in reviewing test results, what are some of the reasons for failures? Is it the wording or terminology of the question? Ron Kantner also commented that the teachers have tough jobs, and he has a lot of admiration for what the teachers do. The Board generally commented they just want to find out what is happening in the schools and appreciate the feedback they are receiving from the staff. The Board wants the staff to know they appreciate the hard work the staff is doing and want them to keep up the hard work.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

Copeland moved to approve the following:

Minutes of regular Board meeting held January 17, 2006, special Board

meetings held January 31, 2006 and February 8, 2006 and Policy Committee

meeting held February 1, 2006.

Financial Reports: monthly graphs, cash activity report, investment portfolio, operating fund (month-end expenditures), bank reconciliation, summary check register, permanent improvement fund report, 2006 appropriations by fund/fund type/revenue summary receipt ledger and income tax summary.

Tax Amounts and Rates from County Auditor

WHEREAS, this Board of Education, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 5705.34-35, has previously adopted a tax budget for the next succeeding fiscal year commencing July 1, 2006;

WHEREAS, the Budget Commission of Auglaize County, Ohio, has certified its action thereon to this Board together with an estimate by the County Auditor of the rate of each tax necessary to be levied by this Board, and what part thereof is without, and what part within the ten mill tax limitation;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Wapakoneta City School District, Auglaize County, Ohio, that the amounts and rates, as determined by the Budget Commission in its certification, be and the same are hereby accepted; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there by and is hereby levied on the tax duplicate of said School District the rate of each tax necessary to be levied within and without the ten mill limitation, as follows:

Inside 10 Mill Limit Outside 10 Mill Limit

Bond Retirement 2.50

General Fund 4.55 20.95

Permanent Improvement 1.00

Total 4.55 24.45

Acceptance of Donations

Wal-Mart $1,000.00 Teacher of the Year – Elisha Smith

Irving Club $ 100.00 High School Show Choir

Centennial PTO $ 700.00 Indoor Recess Games/Dr.Becker, Author to come to Centennial

Board Policy Updates. Approve the following Board Policy updates:

0162 Bylaws (Quorum)

0166 Bylaws (Executive Session)

1069.2 Bylaws (Open Meetings/Sunshine Law)

0171.1 Bylaws (Educational Resources)

0171.2 Bylaws (Philosophy and Goals)

0171.3 Bylaws (Community Relations)

1130 Conflict of Interest - Private Practice

1430.02 Leave of Absence for Employment by a Community School

1540 Suspension of Administrative Contracts

3113 Conflict of Interest - Private Practice

3131 Reduction in Staff

3362 Anti-Harassment

3430.02 Leave of Absence for Employment by a Community School

3440 Job-Related Expenses

4113 Conflict of Interest - Private Practice

4131 Reduction in Staff

4362 Anti-Harassment

4430.02 Leave of Absence for Employment by a Community School

4440 Job-Related Expenses

5111.01 Homeless Students

5136 Cellular Telephones and Electronic Communication Devices

5310 Health Services

5500 Student Conduct

5516 Student Hazing

5517 Anti-Harassment

5517.01 Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior (adds cyberbullying)

6105 Authorization to Use Facsimile Signature

6110 Student Activities Fund

7300 Disposition of Real Property/Personal Property

7310 Disposition of Surplus Property

8330 Student Records

8400 School Safety

8410 Crisis Intervention

8452 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED)

8453.02 Student Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

8462 Child Abuse and Neglect

8660 Transportation of Students by Private Vehicle (replacement)

9270 Equivalent Education Outside the Schools

Middle School Art Club Constitution/Goals and Purpose Statement

Adopt the Wapakoneta Middle School Art Club Constitution (copy included in

minutes).

Seconded by Frame. Roll call: Copeland, aye; Frame, aye; Kantner, aye; Mertz,

aye; and Sammetinger, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

PERSONNEL MATTERS

Retirement

Frame moved to accept the resignation of Karen Shroyer, for the purpose

of retirement, effective June 1, 2006.

Seconded by Copeland. Roll call: Frame, aye; Kantner, aye; Mertz, aye;

Sammetinger, aye; and Copeland, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Maternity/Family Medical Leave

Copeland moved to approve the Maternity/Family Medical Leave for Lisa Romer from approximately March 27, 2006 through May 16, 2006.

Seconded by Kantner. Roll call: Kantner, aye; Mertz, aye; Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; and Frame, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Resignation of Supplemental Contract

Sammetinger moved to accept the resignation from Gregg Luthman from

his Head Girls Soccer position.

Seconded by Mertz. Roll call: Mertz, aye; Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye;

Frame, aye; and Kantner, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Employment of Supplemental Contracts

Sammetinger moved to employ the following supplemental positions:

Kim Mullen Newspaper-MS Step #1 $1,331.53

Dave Webb Volunteer Varsity Softball --- ---

Seconded by Frame. Roll call: Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; Frame, aye; Kantner, aye; and Mertz, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Employment of Substitutes

Copeland moved to employ the following substitutes for the 2005-06

school year at the appropriate rate on the salary schedule, pending satisfactory

completion of criminal records checks and proper certification through ODE:

Kristy Miller Substitute Teacher

Jennifer Muhlenkamp Substitute Teacher

Ben Wilhelm Substitute Teacher

Jennifer Yinger Substitute Teacher

Connie House Substitute Cafeteria

Megan Brautigam Substitute Teacher

Seconded by Sammetinger. Roll call: Copeland, aye; Frame, aye; Kantner, aye;

Mertz, aye; and Sammetinger, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Board meeting is Monday, March 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Cridersville Elementary. Cridersville Elementary students will be recognized for their achievements.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Sammetinger moved to executive session for the purpose of employment and compensation of a public employee or official, preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment, no action to be taken except to adjourn.

Seconded by Kantner. Roll call: Mertz, aye; Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; Frame, aye; and Kantner, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

Upon returning from executive session, it was noted that five Board members were present.

ADJOURNMENT

Kantner moved to adjourn at 10:33 p.m. Seconded by Sammetinger.

Roll call: Sammetinger, aye; Copeland, aye; Frame, aye; Kantner, aye; and

Mertz, aye. Motion passed unanimously.

_______________________________

President

_______________________________

Secretary