Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Kindergarten class to go all-day, daily

By Margie Wuebker
MARIA STEIN - School board members on Monday approved all-day, everyday kindergarten for next school year.
"We've been taking a waiver for the past three or four years," board president Greg Garmann said. "We're one of only a few that doesn't offer all-day, everyday kindergarten. It's time we get on board with other schools."
Superintendent Mike Pohlman introduced the topic at the March meeting, saying the time had come. The district currently offers all-day, every-other-day kindergarten classes.
The expanded program would receive funding under Ohio Gov. John Kasich's education plan, according to Pohlman. An additional teacher would be hired, but school officials did not have cost figures.
Pohlman reported receiving a letter from the Mercer County Commissioners regarding a Tax Increment Finance exemption to assist in road improvements for the development of Indian Trail Pullets LLC. Taxes on new buildings at the farm would be diverted into an account for road costs for the next 10 years.
An estimated $110,000 will be spent on widening and paving Reichert Road from Indian Trail to Huwer roads and Indian Trail Road from Cassella-Montezuma to Reichert roads.
Pohlman presented the proposal for informational purposes and said action would be taken in May.
The board approved the retirements of four teachers - Robin Garman at the middle school, Bill Elking at the high school and Diane Zimmerman and Lisa Everman at the elementary school. The quartet has a combined total of 130 years in education with 124 years at Marion.
Board members also,
• approved a long list of contracts including those of technology coordinator Dot Garman, transportation supervisor Ted Heitkamp, food supervisor Cindy Moeder and special education supervisor Sue Bruns.
• hired Treva Fortkamp and Kelly Wilker as groundskeepers at an hourly rate of $10.37 retroactive to April 1. Brad Luthman also was added as an assistant varsity football coach.
• learned Mercer County Emergency Management officials will sponsor a hazardous material exercise 8 a.m.-noon April 20 on school property.
• approved a summer intervention program for at-risk students in grades K-3.
• endorsed student handbooks for next year. In addition to revised wording and date changes, the definition of plagiarism and rules regarding sexting were added to the student code of conduct.
• authorized field trips for the FFA to attend the state convention May 2 and 3 in Columbus, the Art Club to attend the Ohio Governor's Show in Columbus April 24 and the Industrial Technology Club to tour Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Fleetfoot Motorhomes April 16 in Decatur, Ind.
• watched as Garmann received a certificate recognizing 15 years of board service to the school district. The honor was bestowed by the Northwest Region Executive Committee.
• congratulated Malorie Bergman as this year's nominee to the Franklin B. Walter scholarship program. She chose teacher Lynne Yates to accompany her.
• learned student Laura Dirksen had artwork placed in the Ohio Department of Education Cameo Show. She is also one of six Marion art students whose projects are included in the Artistry Under the Dome program at St. Charles Senior Living Center. The display runs through Wednesday.
• approved a list of 64 prospective graduates pending completion of all local and state requirements. Commencement exercises will are 1 p.m. May 19 at the high school gym.
• met in executive session to discuss the employment of personnel. No action was taken following the closed-door discussion.
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Subscriber and paid stories on this date
MINSTER - Superintendent Brenda Boeke expects to request a waiver for the state-mandated Third Grade Reading Guarantee that goes into effect next school year.
Finances stand as treasurer predicted
ST. HENRY - School district revenues are down and expenses are up this year - as expected.
St. Henry schools treasurer Glenn Miller told board memb
ST. HENRY - Council members on Monday night approved an ordinance establishing pay rates for park and other summer employees.
The third and final reading of the ordinance was heard before council approved compensation for the pool manager, lifeguards, park and recreation and other employees.
CELINA - The parks and recreation director job held by Jeff Fortkamp will be relegated from a salaried position to a full-time hourly position if legislation is approved by city council members.
ST. MARYS - High Street will soon be closed as workers prepare for bridge and road reconstruction.
Council members on Monday passed under suspension of rules an emergency ordinance authorizing the reconstruction of High Street and the canal and mill race bridges.
COLDWATER - Village council members on Monday night accepted a bid of $195,336 for a paving project slated to take place this summer.
The Shelly Company of Findlay was awarded the project after it submitted the lowest bid of the four council members reviewed.
NEW BREMEN - The Grand Lake Community Improvement Corporation has been approved as a nonprofit organization.
Auglaize and Mercer County commissione
CELINA - City council members are moving forward with new legislation that would allow Celina electric customers - businesses and residents - to generate some of their own power by installing solar panels and wind turbines on their properties.
CELINA - Bryant L. Rhoades of Union City pleaded not guilty to obstructing justice in connection with the November 2011 murders of Fort Recovery-area residents Robert and Colleen Grube.
CELINA - Early offense gave Celina a two-run lead over St. Henry and the Bulldogs made a great defensive play to hold off a Redskins' rally in the seventh inning for a 2-1 win on Monday at Montgomery Field.
NEW BREMEN - Senior right-hander Clay Bertke pitched a gem to lead the New Bremen Cardinals to 2-0 win over St. Marys on Monday.
Bertke was in comp
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Minster's baseball team rallied with three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good as the Wildcats defeated Wapakoneta 8-4 in a battle of Auglaize County teams that played in state title games last year.