Penta Career Center, for a third year, has received the Gene Bottoms Pacesetter School award.
Penta Superintendent Ed Ewers congratulated faculty and staff on the achievement at the August 3 meeting of the board of education.
The school was honored at a recent Making Schools Work conference in Grapevine, Texas.
For the third time since 2018, Penta was presented with the award from the Southern Regional Education Board.
It recognized the career center for its innovative practices in the Job Training and Transition to Independence, Employment and Success (TIES) programs.
Ryan Myers, supervisor of special education, accepted the award that recognized the work of Amanda Williams and Megan Haig, both job training coordinators, and Rebecca Knapp, TIES coordinator.
Throughout the years, the instructors have developed successful programs for students with disabilities, he explained.
Job training students participate in a broad range of work-based learning experiences by volunteering in the community.
Students in the TIES program work as interns at various sites at the University of Toledo.
As a result of these programs students are able to set goals, live independently and gain employment, Mr. Myers noted.
Also at the monthly board meeting, the superintendent discussed new school year activities.
Parent Night took place August 16, at which students could pick up their uniform shirts, which are expected to be worn every day at school; meet their teachers, navigate the building and finalize enrollment and forms.
August 18 was the first day of school for all sophomore students and new juniors at Penta. On August 19, all Penta students reported to school.
Other Business
In other business, the board:
•Approved the retirement of Bonnie Crim, science instructor, effective December 31, and the resignation of Myranda Welch, job coach, effective July 29.
•Approved the employment of Jenny Asmar, social worker; Tonya Thorbahn, job coach; Kenneth Blandin, onboard instructor part-time; Timothy Turski, student worker; Jarred Klar, instructional aide; Kenneth Blandin, Merl Creps, Michelle Dandino, Chad Detterman, Joseph Dietrich, Rachel Ewing, Charles Getz, Patricia Lemon, David Little, David McPherson and Katherine Skaff, substitute bus and van drivers, $16.18 per hour; Merl Creps, Dianna Hillabrand and Myranda Welch, substitute job coaches, $15.64 per hour; Rita Haddad, high school STNA program coordinator, $33 per hour.
•Suspended the contract for Deborah Hahn, as a reduction in force, due to insufficient enrollment in the criminal justice program.
•Approved salary increases for the superintendent and treasurer consistent with the same percentage increases and one-time payments as negotiated for the certified staff in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
They will receive 1 percent, 1.5 percent and 1.75 percent respectively.
•After a 30-day review, approved the courses of study for construction carpentry, construction electricity, health education/physical education, heating and air conditioning technology and sophomore exploratory construction.
•Authorized attendance at professional meetings for seven staff members.
The board’s next meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Wednesday, September 7, in the board room of the school, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg Township. The meeting is open to the public.
